Ken McFeeters announces ALGOP has scheduled final hearing on primary election challenge against Tommy Tuberville
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Special to the News
Ken McFeeters, Republican candidate for governor of Alabama, announced on Monday that the Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) has officially advanced his primary election challenge against gubernatorial candidate Tommy Tuberville to a final hearing.
McFeeters received formal notification from Balch & Bingham LLP, counsel for the Alabama Republican Party, stating that the ALGOP Candidate Committee reviewed his election contest and determined that it satisfied the requirements necessary to proceed under the Party’s Rules Governing Contests of Primary Elections.
According to the notice:
“The ALGOP Candidate Committee met last night and, in accordance with the attached Rules Governing Contests of Primary Elections, concluded that the Contest filed by Mr. McFeeters meets the standard set forth in Article II, Section 5(c) of the Rules. Accordingly, the Committee has scheduled a final Hearing of the Contest for 2:00 PM on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at the offices of Balch & Bingham LLP.”
The hearing will be conducted pursuant to Alabama Code §17-13-88 and the ALGOP Rules Governing Contests of Primary Elections. ALGOP Chair John Wahl’s designee, Chair Stadthagen, will serve as Hearing Officer.
McFeeters emphasized that the Committee’s action represents a significant procedural milestone.
“This is not a dismissal, and it is not a preliminary review,” McFeeters said. “The Alabama Republican Party has determined that my contest is facially valid and that the issues raised could affect the outcome of the primary election. Under the Party’s own rules, that finding requires the matter to proceed to a final hearing.”
Article II, Section 5(c) of the Rules Governing Contests of Primary Elections states:
“If, however, the Contest is facially valid and could alter the outcome of the primary election, then the County Executive Committee or State Executive Committee shall appoint a Hearing Officer(s) in accordance with Section 6 below, and shall set a date for a final Hearing to commence.”
McFeeters’ contest challenges Tuberville’s eligibility to serve as governor under the residency requirements contained in the Alabama Constitution. The challenge alleges that Tuberville did not satisfy the constitutional requirement that a governor must have been a resident citizen of Alabama for the seven years immediately preceding election to office.
The June 14 hearing will provide an opportunity for evidence, testimony and legal arguments to be presented before the Hearing Officer, who will then make findings and recommendations pursuant to Party rules.
“This case is about upholding the Alabama Constitution and ensuring that every candidate seeking the state’s highest office meets the qualifications required by law,” McFeeters said. “The people of Alabama deserve a fair and transparent review of these issues.”
The nomination must accordingly be voided, and the Committee must take appropriate action under §§ 17-13-85 through 17-13-87, including declaring the next eligible candidate as the nominee.
Additional information regarding the contest and hearing proceedings will be released as it becomes available.