Alabama Republican Party Chairman and State Rep. Scott Stadthagen took to “The Rightside” Tuesday morning to walk through exactly how the June 14 residency hearing for gubernatorial nominee and U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville will work — and what it means when it’s over.
The hearing stems from a third residency challenge filed by primary opponent Ken McFeeters, who argues Tuberville does not meet Alabama’s seven-year residency requirement. Tuberville’s campaign has welcomed the hearing, vowing to submit a full documentation package to put the matter to rest.
Stadthagen described the hearing as a mock courtroom proceeding, with himself presiding and the steering committee serving as the jury. He said both sides will present evidence, the committee will deliberate, and a decision will be rendered the same day.
“It’ll be probably three, four hours, if I had to guess,” Stadthagen (R-Hartselle) said.
Stadthagen drew a clear distinction between this hearing and the first challenge McFeeters filed earlier this year, which the steering committee dismissed before it ever reached a hearing stage.
“He did not present enough evidence to the steering committee that they felt comfortable moving forward,” Stadthagen said of that first challenge. This time, McFeeters checked the procedural boxes required to force a full hearing, so the process goes straight to the courtroom stage with no preliminary review.
Stadthagen promised full transparency throughout, saying he will go directly to media immediately after the hearing concludes with the facts and the decision.
“There’s not going to be any room for back door dealings,” Stadthagen said. “We will be upfront, honest, and transparent with the citizens of Alabama. There are no backroom deals. I promise you that.”
Once the Tuberville residency hearing wraps, Stadthagen said the matter is closed for good as far as the party is concerned — no further challenges permitted.
“As far as the party’s concerned, it is done, done,” he said.
He also clarified that if Tuberville were somehow found ineligible, the steering committee — not McFeeters — would select the Republican nominee. Stadthagen noted the scenario is unlikely, adding that from his understanding Tuberville’s team is eager to get the hearing done and move forward.
Stadthagen acknowledged the situation has been a trial by fire for his young tenure as party chairman.
“Becoming party chair is really baptism by fire,” he said. “I like challenges, and I like seeing some of the worst things that could go wrong. Once we get past this and I get this experience under my belt, we move forward.”
Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
