Despite speculation to the contrary, Secretary of State Wes Allen recently ruled out a challenge to the residency qualifications of his recent Republican runoff opponent, John Wahl.
Wahl and Allen faced one another on Tuesday's runoff election, where Wahl handily gained the GOP's nomination for lieutenant governor by securing 57% of the vote over Allen's 43%.
Wahl's residency became a subject of discussion before the primary, when Allen financed a candidate challenge through former State Rep. Gil Isbell (R-Gadsden) in January.
SEE ALSO: Wes Allen campaign bankrolled attempt to have Wahl disqualified from lieutenant governor race
The Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) steering committee narrowly rejected Isbell's challenge against Wahl in February.
Rumors have swirled since Tuesday's election that Allen planned to challenge Wahl's residency again once ALGOP certified his nomination with the secretary of state's office. However, a representative for Allen told 1819 News on Thursday the answer was "emphatically no."
The spokeswoman also pointed to Allen's concession statement, in which he said, "I will continue to work hard as Alabama's 54th Secretary of State, and it is my honor to continue to serve in that role until January, 2027."
According to ALGOP's bylaws, only a primary opponent or a member of the party may challenge a nominee's eligibility to hold office.
The state saw this in the half-baked attempt by his eccentric primary opponent in May to challenge U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville's (R-Auburn) residency, who secured just over 47,000 votes.
After challenging Tuberville's residency in a court that had no jurisdiction over the matter, Ken McFeeters brought his challenge to the ALGOP Steering Committee, which promptly dismissed the challenge.
In Wahl's case, his primary opponent has denied plans to challenge his residency, leaving the public still speculating who, if anyone, intends to issue the challenge.
Alabama Democratic Party chairman Randy Kelley recently told 1819 News that he had been contacted by individuals who planned to challenge the residency of Wahl and Tuberville. However, he declined to give their names.
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