McFeeters calls on Alabama Republican leadership to stop charade, allow a fair hearing
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Ken McFeeters, candidate for governor of Alabama, released the following in regards to the final hearing scheduled by the Alabama Republican Party on Sunday, June 14, for his primary election challenge against gubernatorial candidate Tommy Tuberville:
I filed this challenge because the Alabama Constitution requires that a candidate for Governor be a resident citizen of Alabama for seven years preceding the election.
The question should be simple:
Where do Tommy and Suzanne Tuberville actually live?
Do they live at their approximately $6 million beachfront property in Florida, or do they live in the modest one-bathroom house in Auburn that is now being presented as their Alabama residence?
Unfortunately, what I have experienced so far suggests that this hearing is not about finding the truth. It feels more like an effort to avoid it.
The Alabama Republican Party’s own hearing rules clearly state:
“Counsel of Record for each Party to a Contest – or the Party themselves, in the event that the Party does not have Counsel of Record – is designated by these Rules and pursuant to Alabama Code §17-13-74 as having the authority to issue up to five (5) subpoenas to summon witnesses to appear and give testimony at a Pre-Hearing deposition.”
The rules further state that each deposition may last up to four hours.
The rules are clear.
Yet despite those rules, I am now being told I will effectively be allowed to depose no one.
One has to ask why.
I have sought to depose Tommy Tuberville.
I have sought to depose Suzanne Tuberville.
I have sought to depose individuals with direct knowledge of where the Tubervilles actually live.
I have sought to depose tax professionals connected to evidence that has already become a significant issue in this proceeding.
Apparently, none of this will be allowed.
I am being told Senator Tuberville is too busy. Instead of the deposition process specifically authorized by the rules, I may be allowed to ask a few questions immediately before the hearing itself.
That is not what the rules say.
That is not due process.
That is not a serious search for the truth.
I have also been informed that Suzanne Tuberville will not be made available for deposition.
Again, one has to ask why.
If the issue before this hearing is where the Tubervilles actually reside, why would the spouse of the candidate not be available to answer questions under oath?
What are they afraid of?
I have been told by multiple people that Mrs. Tuberville spends her time living full-time at the Florida beach property and rarely visits Washington, D.C. If those reports are false, a deposition would quickly clear the matter up.
If they are true, the people of Alabama deserve to know.
Likewise, there are significant questions surrounding tax return evidence that has been introduced in this proceeding.
The tax returns were supposed to be the definitive proof that ended this case.
Instead, they raised even more questions.
We should be able to question the individuals responsible for preparing and interpreting those returns.
Apparently, that will not be allowed either.
Then came the gag order.
After the tax-return issues became public, a gag order was imposed on the proceeding.
I have repeatedly asked why.
I have received no satisfactory explanation.
The hearing is closed to the media.
Requests for a video court reporter have been denied.
The public cannot watch.
The press cannot watch.
Witnesses cannot be properly examined.
Depositions are being denied.
And yet we are expected to believe this process is about finding the truth.
My attorney has told me, “Ken, the fix is in.”
I hope he is wrong.
I sincerely hope he is wrong.
But every action taken so far points in that direction.
The Alabama Republican Party has already announced a press conference immediately following the hearing.
The entire process increasingly appears to be a foregone conclusion.
A rubber stamp.
A predetermined outcome.
I appeal directly to the leadership of the Alabama Republican Party.
Most of us became Republicans because we believed we were the good guys.
We believed in truth.
We believed in accountability.
We believed in equal treatment under the law.
We believed in constitutional government.
Many of you serve because you want a better Alabama for your children and grandchildren.
You have the power to stop this.
Slow this process down.
Allow the depositions.
Follow the rules that were written for this very purpose.
Let the witnesses testify.
Let the evidence be examined.
Then hold the hearing.
There is no legitimate urgency here unless someone is trying to avoid what the evidence may reveal.
Everything Americans hate about politics seems to be happening inside this proceeding.
Closed-door meetings.
Limited access.
Gag orders.
Procedural roadblocks.
A rush to judgment before the facts are fully developed.
It feels less like a hearing and more like a joke that makes you cry instead of laugh.
I started this campaign for Governor because I am tired of watching citizens lose their rights while being told the exact opposite is happening.
That is what appears to be happening here.
Apparently, some people believe the phrase “resident citizen” can mean whatever they want it to mean.
Apparently, someone can own and occupy a $6 million Florida beachfront property and still be declared a resident citizen of Alabama for constitutional purposes.
If that is now the standard, the people of Alabama deserve to hear it explained publicly.
Most importantly, they deserve to hear the evidence before any decision is made.
I hope there are enough members of the Republican leadership who are not motivated by political advantage, political favors, or political pressure.
I hope there are enough people who still believe in truth, justice, and doing what is right.
Because if this process continues down its current path, the damage to the credibility of the Alabama Republican Party will not wash off easily.
The stink will be permanent.
The people of Alabama are watching.
And they deserve better.
