Montgomery County Circuit Judge Brooke Reid dismissed a lawsuit on July 9, 2026, challenging U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville's eligibility to run for governor of Alabama. Reid cited a lack of jurisdiction to decide the issue before the general election.

In a seven-page order, Reid wrote, "This court has wrestled at length with the narrow issue of whether quo warranto may be utilized to challenge the constitutional eligibility of a certified nominee prior to the general election." She further stated, "While this court lacks authority to extend the application of quo warranto to a certified nominee, that does not imply that it should not be extended in this case, nor that the plaintiffs are estopped altogether from seeking court resolution of Constitutional eligibility to hold office." The order noted there is "no Alabama case directly on point" regarding the lawsuit's request for a hearing on allegations that the senator has not met the Alabama Constitution's seven-year residency requirement.

Reid said during a June 29 hearing that she expects the Alabama Supreme Court to make the final decision on the case. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of two voters and alleged that Tuberville does not meet the state's residency requirements. Attorney Barry Ragsdale, representing the voters, stated his plans to appeal the decision.

Tuberville's name was added to the deed of an Auburn property in 2024, with his son's name removed. Tuberville has said he established residency in Auburn in 2018. Jordan Doufexis, chairman of Tuberville's campaign, called the dismissal a rejection of a "bogus lawsuit aimed at hijacking the election before Alabama voters could decide." The Alabama Republican Party rejected a similar challenge to Tuberville's eligibility in June, citing his property, tax, and voting records.

Why It Matters

The dismissal affects the legal process for challenging candidate eligibility in Alabama. The ruling indicates that a lower court may not have jurisdiction to resolve residency challenges for a certified nominee before a general election. The case could potentially be decided by the Alabama Supreme Court, which would establish a precedent for future eligibility challenges in the state.