Governor’s race: Tommy Tuberville hit with another suit challenging his Alabama residency

Senator Tommy Tuberville is facing a fresh legal battle as a new lawsuit attempts to block his bid for Alabama governor, citing concerns over state residency requirements. The plaintiffs contend that the senator does not maintain a primary residence in Alabama, alleging he spends the majority of his time at a Florida beach house when not fulfilling his duties in Washington, D.C.

A Continuing Controversy

This legal challenge arrives shortly after Tuberville just defeated a challenge from a fellow Republican who raised similar residency concerns. In the current filing, the plaintiffs are urging a Montgomery judge to intervene and disqualify Tuberville from the November ballot, asserting he failed to meet residency standards by the November 3, 2019, deadline. The lawsuit bluntly claims that "Tuberville has usurped and intruded into the public office of nominee for Governor."

The Campaign Response

Tuberville’s team is pushing back aggressively, characterizing the latest suit as a "hoax" and a "witch hunt." Jordan Doufexis, chairman of Tuberville’s campaign, issued a statement Wednesday suggesting the legal effort is tied to Democratic interests, specifically targeting Doug Jones. Tuberville has maintained that he began the process of moving to his Auburn home in 2018 and has consistently fulfilled his residency requirements while balancing time in Auburn, Florida, and the nation's capital.

Inside the Allegations

The lawsuit brought by Alabama military veterans Brooke Dorgan and Justin LeBlanc targets both Tuberville and Secretary of State Wesley Allen. Among the claims, the filing alleges that the senator’s Auburn property is referred to as "The Game Day House" because the candidate purportedly only visits during athletic events. Barry Ragsdale, attorney for the plaintiffs, dismissed claims of coordination with the Democratic party, telling 205focus.com that he is being paid by his clients and is not working with any political organizations.

Looking Ahead

While previous attempts to oust Tuberville via legal channels have been dismissed due to the nature of party nominations, the pressure remains high. Earlier this week, the Alabama GOP concluded that no evidence existed to prove the senator lived outside of the state after a closed-door hearing. As of now, Tuberville has not filed a formal response in court. The senator is slated to square off against Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones in the general election on November 3.