A judge heard arguments Monday over whether Alabama courts can consider a lawsuit challenging Republican gubernatorial nominee Sen. Tommy Tuberville's eligibility to run under the state's seven-year residency requirement, with a ruling on whether to dismiss the case expected soon.

The lawsuit alleges Tuberville does not meet the qualifications to serve as Alabama governor.

Montgomery County Circuit Judge Brooke Reid said she would rule as soon as possible on whether to dismiss the lawsuit after hearing arguments Monday.

Tuberville's lawyers argued the court has no jurisdiction over the case, while attorneys for the plaintiffs argued the circumstances are unprecedented, AL.com reported.

"We've never had an out-of-stater to run for governor," Barry Ragsdale, an attorney for the plaintiffs, told AL.com.

The Alabama Republican Party previously ruled in Tuberville's favor after his primary opponent, Ken McFeeters, filed a residency challenge.

Tuberville has said he established residency in Auburn in 2019, where he previously coached college football.

He faces former Sen. Doug Jones in the general election. Tuberville defeated Jones in 2020 to win election to the U.S. Senate.

The Auburn home Tuberville cites as his primary residence has had a homestead exemption applied to it since 2018, the Alabama Daily News reported.

Tuberville and his wife own two properties in Walton County, Florida, according to records from the county appraiser's office cited by the Alabama Daily News. Neither property has had a homestead exemption filed by Tuberville in the past seven years.

Tuberville's attorney, Joe Espy, argued the Legislature has jurisdiction over the matter. Tuberville did not attend Monday's hearing, which focused only on whether the court has jurisdiction to hear the lawsuit.

Reid said she expected her ruling to be appealed, with the case likely making its way to the Alabama Supreme Court.