Candidate Challenges Tuberville's Eligibility for Alabama Governor Race

Ken McFeeters claims Tuberville is not a true Alabama resident and spends more time at a Florida home.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 9:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Ken McFeeters, a candidate running for Alabama governor, has formally challenged the eligibility of fellow candidate Tommy Tuberville to appear on the Republican primary ballot. McFeeters claims that Tuberville does not meet the state's constitutional residency requirements, citing records that suggest Tuberville spends more time traveling to and from a Florida home than his reported residence in Auburn, Alabama.

Why it matters

The Alabama Constitution requires gubernatorial candidates to be 'resident citizens' of the state for at least seven years prior to the election. If Tuberville is found ineligible, it could create significant issues for the Republican Party, potentially leaving them without a nominee and increasing the likelihood of losing the governorship.

The details

In an open letter, McFeeters has asked the Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) to review Tuberville's eligibility. ALGOP says candidates have until January 30 to file a challenge, and the party's candidate committee will then review the documentation and hold a hearing before making a final determination by February 26. The findings of the challenge review are typically not made public by ALGOP.

  • Candidates have until noon on Friday, January 30 to file a challenge against another candidate.
  • The ALGOP candidate committee will review the challenge, documentation, and hold a hearing before making a final determination by February 26.

The players

Ken McFeeters

A candidate running for Alabama governor who has formally challenged Tommy Tuberville's eligibility to appear on the Republican primary ballot.

Tommy Tuberville

The former college football coach who is running for Alabama governor, but whose residency status has been challenged by a fellow candidate.

Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP)

The state's Republican Party organization that is responsible for reviewing candidate eligibility challenges and making final determinations.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The Alabama Constitution is a covenant between the people of this state and their government. It not only empowers government but, critically, limits it. Compliance with its requirements is not optional, nor is it subject to political convenience.”

— Ken McFeeters, Candidate for Alabama Governor

“We have just these couple of weeks to undertake this process, review all the documentation and make a determination because we have to hit that hard deadline.”

— Jeannie Burniston, Director of Legislative Affairs and Communications, Alabama Republican Party

What’s next

The Alabama Republican Party's candidate committee will review all filed challenges, documentation, and then set a hearing, at which both parties involved are invited to make their case. The committee will then make a final determination on Tuberville's eligibility, which must be filed with the Secretary of State by February 26.

The takeaway

This challenge highlights the importance of upholding the state's constitutional requirements for gubernatorial candidates, even when it involves a high-profile political figure like Tuberville. The Alabama Republican Party must carefully review the evidence and make a decision that is in the best interests of the state and the party, rather than based on political convenience.