Two Alabama military veterans filed a new residency lawsuit Wednesday challenging U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville’s (R-Auburn) eligibility to serve as the Republican nominee for governor, days after the Alabama Republican Party unanimously dismissed a similar challenge.
The lawsuit, filed in Montgomery Circuit Court by plaintiffs Brooke Dorgan and Justin LeBlanc, uses a quo warranto legal challenge to argue Tuberville does not meet the Alabama Constitution’s requirement that gubernatorial candidates maintain seven years of continuous residency in the state.
Unlike prior challenges, a quo warranto action can only be filed after a candidate is certified as the party’s nominee. State law instructs the court to expedite all proceedings, including discovery responses and a trial date.
The filing already includes orders for both Tommy and Suzanne Tuberville to sit for depositions, along with requests for state and federal tax returns, utility bills showing usage at both his Auburn and Florida homes, and automobile insurance records.
The plaintiffs are represented by Birmingham attorney Barry Ragsdale, the same attorney who brought the residency challenge that resulted in State Rep. David Cole’s removal from office and arrest in 2023.
Tuberville’s campaign fired back at the lawsuit Wednesday.
“Less than 72 hours after Coach Tuberville said ‘DC’ Doug Jones couldn’t talk about the issues, Jones’ Democrat lawyers proved Coach right,” said Jordan Doufexis, Chairman of Tuberville’s campaign. “They’re back pushing the same tired residency hoax because they can’t defend open borders, men in women’s sports, DEI, crime, opposing school choice, or the Biden-Jones record.”
“The Alabama Republican Party saw over 100 pages of evidence and unanimously confirmed Coach is qualified,” Doufexis said. “DC Doug can hide in court behind lawyers and lies. Coach Tuberville will continue to swat down this weaponized lawfare and stand with the people of Alabama.”
Previous legal challenges to Tuberville’s residency were dismissed before reaching the merits. A Covington County judge tossed a lawsuit filed by primary opponent Ken McFeeters in May for lack of jurisdiction, ruling the court could not weigh in before Tuberville was certified as the nominee. The ALGOP Candidate Committee then heard and rejected McFeeters’ party challenge on Sunday.
Tuberville has previously called the residency questions a “ridiculous residency hoax” and a “witch hunt,” saying he purchased a home in Auburn in 2018, registered to vote and obtained an Alabama driver’s license in 2019, and has filed Alabama tax returns every year since.
Tuberville faces Democratic nominee Doug Jones in the November 3 general election.
Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
