Alabama Gubernatorial Candidate Challenges Opponent's Residency Eligibility

Ken McFeeters plans court challenge after ALGOP dismisses Tommy Tuberville eligibility dispute

Feb. 3, 2026 at 6:23pm

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Alabama gubernatorial candidate Ken McFeeters says he's preparing for a court challenge after the Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) dismissed his challenge against opponent Tommy Tuberville's residency eligibility. McFeeters formally questioned whether Tuberville, a sitting U.S. Senator, meets the seven-year residency requirement to run for Alabama governor, citing Tuberville's multi-million-dollar beach house in Florida as his potential primary residence.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate around residency requirements for political candidates and the potential for wealthy individuals to exploit loopholes. The ALGOP's decision to dismiss the challenge has raised concerns that it sets a 'dangerous precedent' allowing out-of-state elites to buy property in Alabama and claim eligibility, undermining the intent of the state's residency laws.

The details

McFeeters claims Tuberville's family purchased a home in Auburn in 2017, but that his multi-million-dollar beach house in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida is actually his primary residence. Tuberville has faced residency questions since the start of his political career, though they did not prevent him from winning Alabama's Senate seat in 2020. McFeeters hopes that by pursuing a legal challenge, Tuberville will be forced to provide travel records, credit card statements, and tax filings to prove his residency. McFeeters also claimed that Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Doug Jones fails to meet Alabama's residency requirements since he lived and worked in Washington, D.C. after losing his Senate seat to Tuberville in 2020.

  • The ALGOP voted on Sunday to dismiss the residency challenge against Tuberville.
  • McFeeters issued a statement on Tuesday condemning the ALGOP's decision.

The players

Ken McFeeters

An Alabama gubernatorial candidate who formally challenged the residency eligibility of his opponent, Tommy Tuberville.

Tommy Tuberville

A sitting U.S. Senator and Alabama gubernatorial candidate whose residency eligibility was challenged by Ken McFeeters.

Doug Jones

A Democratic gubernatorial hopeful who McFeeters claims also fails to meet Alabama's residency requirements.

Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP)

The state Republican party that voted to dismiss the residency challenge against Tuberville.

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What they’re saying

“That decision places the Alabama Republican Party in a deeply troubling position. The practical effect of this ruling is that if a candidate is wealthy enough to purchase a small property and declare it a 'domicile of convenience,' the residency requirements of the Alabama Constitution can simply be ignored.”

— Ken McFeeters, Alabama Gubernatorial Candidate

“In other words, the ALGOP has now set a precedent that you do not actually have to live in Alabama—or be domiciled here—to run for Governor. You only have to be rich.”

— Ken McFeeters, Alabama Gubernatorial Candidate

“This is disastrous for Alabama. It opens the door to a hostile takeover of our executive branch by out-of-state elites who can buy a house, pour tens of millions of dollars into a campaign, and claim eligibility while living elsewhere.”

— Ken McFeeters, Alabama Gubernatorial Candidate

What’s next

McFeeters says he is preparing for a court challenge to further pursue the residency eligibility issue against Tuberville.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate around residency requirements for political candidates and the potential for wealthy individuals to exploit loopholes. The ALGOP's decision to dismiss the challenge has raised concerns that it sets a dangerous precedent, potentially allowing out-of-state elites to buy property in Alabama and claim eligibility, undermining the intent of the state's residency laws.