John Wahl and his attorney, Bryan Taylor, are engaged in a war of words with former State Rep. Gil Isbell (R-Gadsden), who accused Wahl of being ineligible to run for lieutenant governor, over the Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) steering committee's decision not to proceed with a formal hearing on the complaint.
"We are pleased the Candidate Committee made the right decision in this case. Preliminary dismissal is a very high bar, and this decision reflects the strong legal arguments we set forth," Taylor wrote in a statement to 1819 News after the meeting.
SEE: ALGOP steering committee votes down Tuberville, Wahl ballot challenges
The steering committee received briefings from both sides' legal counsel, with Taylor submitting a four-page response to the 75-page letter the committee received from Algert S. Agricola, Jr., on behalf of Isbell.
"The Committee received extensive documentation from both parties, but the facts and Alabama law were clear: John Wahl is fully qualified to run for Lieutenant Governor under the Alabama Constitution," Taylor said.
Isbell disagreed.
"For the Steering Committee not to consider the Challenge of the Residency of John Wahl is actually shameful and politically motivated," Isbell said in a written statement provided to 1819 News.
"From what I have heard, the Steering Committee Challenge vote was 9-9. Then the deciding vote was cast by the active ALGOP Chairperson. So the vote ended 10-9 against the Challenge. So the Committee did not want to hear or consider the evidence. There are 70 pages of supporting documentation and evidence," he continued.
Several members that 1819 News spoke to said that they had reviewed the material before the call.
"Now, I do want to THANK and CONGRATULATE the 9 individuals that voted to hear the Challenge. They had the courage and fortitude to do what is right (VOTE TO LISTEN TO THE CHALLENGE)!" Isbell's statement said. "For the 10 that voted against the Challenge, that isn't the Republican Way, which is to be open, honest and transparent. From the National Party level to local levels, there is a movement to do what is right, find the truth."
In his response, Taylor addressed Isbell's concerns.
"As we explained in our letter, Alabama law and long-standing legal precedent are clear — having a second residence does not disqualify a candidate from running for office. The only relevant legal question was whether John Wahl had maintained residency in Alabama, and the facts overwhelmingly proved that he had. John was born and raised in Alabama and has continuously voted, paid taxes, and maintained a residence here. To say he is unqualified is ridiculous and without standing," Taylor wrote.
"This challenge was plainly filed as a political hit job to discredit and disqualify my campaign. It mirrors the same tactics recently used against Senator Tommy Tuberville and reflects the broader pattern of political warfare we've seen directed at President Donald Trump. Voters saw through those attacks, and they will see through this one, too," Wahl said following the decision.
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