Alabama Democrats to challenge Tuberville residency — 'His primary residence is in Florida'

Nearly an hour after U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) announced on Tuesday his gubernatorial campaign for 2026, the Alabama Democratic Party issued a statement saying it would challenge his residency requirements in court.

Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Randy Kelley released the statement Tuesday afternoon, filled with personal aspersions, calling Tuberville an "incompetent Senator who embarrassed the state of Alabama."

The years-long criticisms of Tuberville's residency have resurfaced in recent months.

The residency challenges involve claims that Tuberville's primary residence has been in Florida during his Senate career, which would place him far outside the required seven years of continuous residency required by the state Constitution to qualify for governor.

SEE: 'There's nothing to that' — Tuberville downplays residency concerns over eligibility for potential governor bid

Despite Tuberville being unfazed by the speculation, Kelley said he was determined to challenge the issue in court.

"Today, Tommy Tuberville finally revealed the open secret that he is planning to run for governor of Alabama despite not living here," Kelley said. "His primary residence is in Florida. Alabama's Constitution Section 117 clearly states that gubernatorial candidates must be 'resident citizens of the state at least seven years before the date of their election.'"

He continued, "Claiming his son's house as a homestead exemption while all travel receipts, voting, and living take place in Florida simply doesn't cut it. We intend to challenge his residency in the Courts. If residency is no longer a requirement to run for office in the state of Alabama, that opens the doors for Democrats as well."