The Alabama Republican Party on Sunday rejected a challenge to U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville's eligibility to run for governor, with the party's 21-member steering committee unanimously dismissing claims that he failed to meet the state's seven-year residency requirement.

The challenge was filed by Ken McFeeters, whom Tuberville defeated in last month's Republican primary. McFeeters argued that Tuberville did not satisfy the Alabama Constitution's requirement that gubernatorial candidates be resident citizens of the state for at least seven years before their election.

"We looked at it with the facts. The contest was unsuccessful. And Coach Tuberville will be our nominee for governor," said Scott Stadthagen, the state Republican Party chair. The hearing was conducted privately, with committee members reviewing evidence including Tuberville's state tax records, property ownership documents, driver's licenses, and voter registration materials.

Tuberville has faced persistent questions about his residency, owning both a $5.6 million beach home in Florida and a $291,780 home in Auburn, Alabama. Property records show the Auburn home was purchased by his wife and son in 2017, with Tuberville's name added to the deed in 2024. He released redacted Alabama tax returns from 2018-2024 indicating he moved to the state in August 2018, though voting records show he cast a ballot in Florida in November 2018 before registering to vote in Alabama in March 2019.

The residency dispute mirrors similar challenges Tuberville faced during his successful 2020 Senate campaign against Jeff Sessions. Tuberville, a former Auburn University football coach from 1999-2008, called the current challenge a "witch-hunt" and said he proudly represents Alabama while maintaining homes in both Auburn and on the Alabama coast.

Tuberville will face Democrat Doug Jones, whom he previously defeated for the Senate seat, in the November gubernatorial election. Party officials indicated they consider the residency matter resolved and will focus on the general election campaign.