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

This is an opinion column.

I first connected with Coach Tommy Tuberville over lunch in Auburn back in 2018. Following a legendary college football career at some of the nation's top programs, Coach told me he was looking to retire in Auburn, a town that had become home to his family during his tenure at Auburn University. Like many transitioning from a high-pressure career, he was weighing his next move.

It didn't take long to realize retirement wasn't in the cards. As Coach put it to me, "I can't play golf every day. I need something to do that has purpose."

Laying the Groundwork

At the time, Alabama's political landscape was in flux. With Governor Kay Ivey having ascended from lieutenant governor following the resignation of Governor Robert Bentley, the 2018 gubernatorial race looked like it might be a wide-open contest. In our conversations, I encouraged him to consider public service, recognizing his deep-seated conservative values and his genuine desire to impact the state's future.

Coach was intrigued. Over the next several months, we navigated meetings with state organizations and leaders, including the Alabama Farmers Federation and the Alabama Forestry Association. While he was greeted with the respect earned from his coaching career, many were skeptical of a political bid. When Governor Ivey solidified her standing, Coach eventually opted out, famously quipping, "Nobody can beat Grandma."

Setting the Record Straight

Political theater often overlooks the timeline of these events. All of this unfolded in 2018—two years before Tommy Tuberville was elected to the United States Senate.

I can speak to this from personal experience: I was physically present when he moved into his home on Cherry Street in Auburn, the very address listed on the tax records he has since made public. This isn't hearsay from a report. I was there carrying furniture into that house, watching a moving truck unload belongings from Cincinnati, Ohio. I witnessed his wife, Suzanne, unpacking boxes and settling into their kitchen. I saw a family building a home in Alabama with my own eyes.

Given that, the recent murmurs questioning Coach Tuberville’s residency requirements for governor strike me as a stretch. While political disagreements are part of the process, the facts are immovable: Tommy Tuberville moved to Auburn in 2018, and he spent that year exploring a potential gubernatorial run.

Separating Politics from Reality

Critics frequently point to his ownership of a home in Florida, but that is hardly a rare occurrence. Many Alabamians maintain vacation or second properties across state lines while still calling Alabama home. Ownership of a secondary residence doesn't negate the establishment of primary residency.

As for concerns regarding his voting history, any registration issues during his relocation appear to be nothing more than administrative oversights common in a major move. There has never been an allegation of him attempting to cast ballots in multiple states simultaneously. It is difficult to frame a single lawful ballot as evidence that a person doesn't live where they actually reside.

The Alabama Republican Party Steering Committee will follow its established process for any challenges, but this controversy feels far more focused on political maneuvering than genuine residency concerns. While voters will ultimately decide if Coach has the vision to lead as governor, the question of his residency is a settled matter. Some of us were there when he moved to Auburn, and I am proud to be among those who can verify the truth.