I was there - the truth about Tommy Tuberville’s Alabama residency: opinion

This is an opinion column published by 205focus.com.

My introduction to Tommy Tuberville happened over lunch in Auburn back in 2018. Following a storied coaching career, the former head coach was looking for his next move, hoping to find a role that offered purpose beyond the golf course.

The Road to Public Service

At the time, Alabama politics were in flux following the resignation of Governor Robert Bentley and the elevation of Governor Kay Ivey. During our conversations, I encouraged the Coach to step into public service. He was a dedicated conservative with a genuine interest in the state's future. We spent months meeting with various state leaders and organizations, from the Alabama Farmers Federation to the Alabama Forestry Association.

While his coaching resume commanded respect, his potential run for governor never fully materialized. He ultimately bowed out of the race with a classic line, famously joking, “Nobody can beat Grandma,” as Governor Ivey solidified her political standing.

Setting the Record Straight

What is often overlooked in today's political discourse is that these conversations occurred in 2018—two full years before Tuberville was elected to the U.S. Senate. I was there when he moved into his home on Cherry Street in Auburn, the same address featured in the financial records he has since disclosed.

This isn't hearsay; I helped carry the furniture into that house. I watched as a moving truck arrived from Cincinnati, Ohio, and I witnessed his wife, Suzanne, unpacking their home in Auburn. Seeing this firsthand makes the recent challenges to his residency requirements feel disconnected from the reality I witnessed.

Fact vs. Political Narrative

Reasonable people can hold different political views, but facts should remain constant. Tommy Tuberville established his residence in Auburn in 2018. While critics point to his ownership of a Florida property or past voter registration issues, these details are common nuances in relocation rather than a scheme to bypass the law. There has never been an allegation of him voting in multiple states during a single election cycle.

The Alabama Republican Party Steering Committee will follow its due process, but to many of us on the ground, this controversy feels more like political theater than a residency issue. Voters will eventually decide if his vision for Alabama makes him the right choice for governor—a debate that is entirely valid. However, questioning whether he is an Alabama resident is a non-starter for those of us who helped him move in.