ANDALUSIA — On Monday, a district judge dismissed a residency challenge against U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) in his bid for governor brought by his Republican primary opponent.
Ken McFeeters, a previously unsuccessful candidate for U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer’s (R-Hoover) congressional seat in 2024, has tried to make hay out of the Democratic caterwauling over Tuberville’s residency requirements under the Alabama Constitution.
Questions about Tuberville's residency have been around since he ran for U.S. Senate, with his opponents claiming he has not been an official resident of the state long enough to qualify for office. Those same accusations resurfaced after Tuberville announced his bid for governor.
This time, the complaints were loudest from McFeeters, who filed a lawsuit in late March after the Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) rejected his previous challenges and attempts to compel Tuberville to produce evidence and an affidavit.
McFeeters demanded a trial by jury to determine Tuberville’s residency in the Covington County District Court, which ALGOP swiftly filed to dismiss.
ALGOP claimed, among other things, that the court lacked jurisdiction over the state's election residency requirements, citing multiple state precedents to support that claim.
McFeeters represented himself against ALGOP’s attorneys at the Andalusia courthouse. From the beginning, McFeeters seemed confused about court proceedings, including knowing to stand when addressing the court and how to file documents with the court clerk.
ALGOP’s attorneys re-stated their objections to the jurisdictional issue, citing the multiple state precedents that display residency requirements are determined by the respective political parties.
In response to ALGOP’s objections, McFeeters made muddled and seemingly confused appeals to the state Constitution and the court’s authority to rule on constitutional issues.
District Judge Charles Short, who seemed unmoved by McFeeters' arguments, concluded proceedings within a half hour. On Monday, he granted ALGOP’s motion to dismiss without giving any elaboration.
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