For the second time this year, the Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) voted not to have a full hearing on challenges to lieutenant governor nominee John Wahl’s candidacy based on accusations that he does not meet the state’s residency requirements.
The ALGOP State Steering Committee voted overwhelmingly to dismiss the residency challenge at Sunday’s meeting, with the final vote coming in at 14-4.
The challenge came from Tim Colling, a Republican from Limestone County, who told 1819 News that he and a group of like-minded people in the area believe it is up to Republicans to disqualify Wahl before Democrats do so ahead of the November general election.
According to Colling, the challenge stems, among other things, from the long-discussed fact that Wahl verifiably held a Tennessee driver’s license, which Colling posited disqualified Wahl, since Alabama law requires seven years of residency.
Wahl has not denied having a residence in Tennessee. However, he has stated plainly that he can produce evidence that he resided in Alabama for the required period.
Before the Republican primary, Wahl's former opponent, Secretary of State Wes Allen, bankrolled a residency challenge filed by former State Rep. Gil Isbell (R-Gadsden), which the steering committee also rejected.
Earlier this month, ALGOP rejected another residency challenge against U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) in his bid for governor, filed by a defeated primary opponent. Unlike Wahl’s case, ALGOP decided to hold a full hearing with evidence presented by both sides. The committee rejected the challenge, and ALGOP chairman Scott Stadthagen called it a “false narrative in order to sow doubt.”
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