The Alabama Republican Party said U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville will remain the party’s gubernatorial nominee, rejecting a claim on Sunday that he had not lived in the state long enough to run for governor.
The unanimous decision came after the party’s 21-member steering committee heard a challenge filed by Tuberville’s former primary opponent, Ken Mc
Feeters, a longtime insurance agency owner in north Alabama. The challenge argued that Tuberville did not meet the Alabama Constitution’s seven-year residency requirement.
“We looked at it with the facts. The contest was unsuccessful. And Coach Tuberville will be ou
r nominee for governor,” said Scott Stadthagen, the state Republican Party chair. Tuberville is often referred to as “Coach” because of his background coaching college football.
Stadthagen did not take questions from the news media. The hearing was not open to the public.
Tuberville has long faced accusations of living in Florida rather than the state he represents in Washington. He has faced the same claim as he runs for governor.
McFeeters did not immediately return a text message seeking comment.
“Does he live in Alabama? No,” McFeeters said before the hearing. “He doesn’t live here.”
Tuberville, who easily defeated McFeeters in last month’s primary and has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, called the accusation a “witch-hunt” by the media.
“I’m thankful for the committee holding a hearing today to finally put this ridiculous residency hoax to bed,” Tuberville said. “For the past six years, I’ve proudly represented Alabama in the United States Senate. When I’m not in D.C., Suz
anne and I are at home in Auburn and yes, sometimes, at our beach house on the coast.”
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The party said Tuberville submitted state tax records, property and home ownership records, driver’s licenses, voter registration and other corroborating ma
terial demonstrating his residency. The document said McFeeters was given the opportunity to question Tuberville on the witness stand about how much time he spends in Alabama and in Florida.
Property tax records show Tuberville and his wife own a beach home in Florida valued at $5.6 million. His campaign has said his residence is a home in Auburn. The 1,551-square-foot property has an appraised value of about $291,780. The
Auburn home was purchased by his wife and son in 2017. The senator’s name was later added
to the property in 2024, and the son’s name removed. Both the Auburn and Florida homes appear to have recently been put in a revocable trust.
Voting records show Tuberville voted in Florida in November 2018. He registered to vote in Alabama on March 28, 2019, about two weeks before announcing his run for Senate.
McFeeters said Tuberville’s Senate travel records also show frequent travel to the Florida Panhandle, which he said buttresses the idea that he resides in the location. License records show McFeeter’s insurance producer license is up to date, through April 2028.
