McFeeters Challenges Tuberville’s Ballot Eligibility
Ken McFeeters says Tommy Tuberville may not meet Alabama residency rules for Governor, requests a formal GOP review prior to the primary
A formal challenge to Senator Tommy Tuberville’s eligibility for Alabama’s Republican gubernatorial ballot is underway, setting up a Party review of residency requirements ahead of the 2026 primary.
GOP candidate Ken McFeeters filed a notice Tuesday with the Alabama Republican Party contending that Tuberville’s status as a “continuous resident citizen of Alabama” for the seven years required under Article V, Section 117 of the state constitution is in doubt.
McFeeters’ filing (below) points to public reports and records that he says raise “serious and unresolved questions” about where Tuberville has lived leading up to the election.
Tuberville’s campaign dismissed the challenge in strong terms. Spokesperson Mallory Jaspers responded to the complaint to WSFA by saying:
“What a ridiculous PR stunt from a desperate candidate. Senator Tuberville has proudly represented Alabama in the United States Senate for the past six years. This made-up narrative didn’t work when he was running for Senate in 2019, and it certainly isn’t going to work now.”
Jeannie Burniston, Director of Legislative Affairs and Communications for the Alabama GOP, declined to comment on specific challenges. She said the Party is neutral during the process and respects all candidates.
The window to file challenges to Republican candidates runs through this Friday, January 30. Challenges, once filed, are reviewed and, if necessary, a hearing is scheduled. The Party must certify its candidates with the Alabama Secretary of State by end of the business day on February 26.
The Associated Press has previously reported that Tuberville switched his voter registration from Florida to Alabama in 2019 and that both he and his wife last voted in Florida in 2018. Property records show he claims a homestead exemption on a home in Auburn but also owns a beach property in Florida.
Tuberville is broadly viewed as the GOP frontrunner in the Republican primary, while McFeeters is, at best, considered a long shot candidate. It remains to be seen just how this challenge affects the primary contest and then the general election against likely Democratic frontrunner Doug Jones.
