Over the weekend, the Alabama Republican Party steering committee dismissed a residency-based ballot challenge targeting former party chairman John Wahl’s 2026 Republican campaign for lieutenant governor, ending, for now, two separate party fights that had threatened to sideline Wahl and U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) from qualifying for the May 19 primary election over residency issues.

The challenge was filed by former state lawmaker Gil Isbell, who questioned whether Wahl had maintained the seven-year Alabama residency required for lieutenant governor under the state constitution.

The Alabama Constitution’s qualifications for governor and lieutenant governor are straightforward on paper. Both must be at least 30 years old, U.S. citizens for 10 years, and “resident citizens of this state at least seven years next before the date of their election.”

Isbell’s filing and related statements focused on three main points that have been circulated publicly in recent days: Principally, Wahl had a Tennessee driver’s license during the relevant period, including when he was issued a traffic ticket in 2023.

Isbell also alleged Wahl was registered to vote in Tennessee in 2020, and argued that actions taken to establish residency there should trigger disqualification in Alabama. He submitted multiple items to the committee, including a May 2025 radio interview where Wahl discussed exploring a move.

“The ALGOP Candidate Committee met and considered the challenges before it. The Committee determined which challenges will advance to a hearing and which challenges were dismissed,” Jeannie Burniston, ALGOP’s communications and legislative affairs director, said in a statement to Yellowhammer News.

“Parties involved in challenges advancing to a hearing, as well as candidates who were automatically denied ballot access pursuant to the Party’s Standing Rules, were notified of these actions this morning. Out of respect for the parties involved, the Alabama Republican Party does not comment on specific challenges.”

Wahl’s campaign provided Yellowhammer News a detailed legal memo from attorney Bryan Taylor arguing the challenge was frivolous under Alabama law and precedent. Taylor characterized that the volume of documentation submitted to the party committee was significant.

Wahl has acknowledged there was a period where he explored establishing a residence in Tennessee, but Taylor disputes the idea that doing so terminated his Alabama “resident citizen” status for constitutional purposes.

“John Wahl is fully qualified to run for Lieutenant Governor under the Alabama Constitution,” Taylor said in a statement to Yellowhammer News.

“As we explained in our letter, Alabama law and long-standing legal precedent are clear—having a second residence does not disqualify a candidate from running for office. The only relevant legal question was whether John Wahl had maintained residency in Alabama, and the facts overwhelmingly proved that he had. John was born and raised in Alabama and has continuously voted, paid taxes, and maintained a residence here. To say he is unqualified is ridiculous and without standing,” Taylor added.

According to reports, the internal vote to dismiss was 9-9, with a tie broken by the acting chair, Joan Reynolds, who stepped in after Wahl resigned as chairman to enter the race.

The GOP primary for lieutenant governor is May 19. Republican candidates who have qualified include Allen, Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate, Wahl, and several other contenders.