Last week, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville said newcomers are bringing socialism and communism to North Alabama.

“You’ve got people coming from other states that were brought up in these government-educated schools that have taught socialism and communism,” the Republican nominee for governor told a Mobile radio host. “It’s hard to get them out of that mindset, and that’s what we have to do. We have to educate them … don’t go out there and fight us, try to work with us.”

His remarks have been widely criticized, including by Republicans and former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, the Democratic candidate for governor.

Jones responded to Tuberville’s claims Monday at a news conference on the steps of the Madison County Courthouse.

“He made it clear that, in his view, when you move to Alabama, you no longer have the freedom of your own beliefs, that you must conform to what he believes,” Jones said. “Good grief, folks, Tommy Tuberville clearly does not understand the people or history of North Alabama.

“He insults the very people who have made this region one of the most prosperous in the country.”

State Rep. James Lomax, a Republican who represents Huntsville, pushed back last Friday on Tuberville’s claims.

Posting on Facebook, Lomax said, “Recently I heard Coach Tuberville’s comments suggesting that people moving to Huntsville have been, or are being taught to be communists and socialists. This is not correct. I believe the thousands of families who chose Alabama, and specifically Huntsville, are making our state stronger and chose to call our state home for the same reason my own parents did.

“Huntsville was built by people who came here to do hard things; many of whom I am proud to say live in my district and are my neighbors and friends. They’ve come to Redstone Arsenal, to NASA, to (Cummings) research park, and have been critical to creating thousands of Alabama jobs.

“They are the parents of the children my daughters dance with, the people my wife and I work beside, and the families we worship with at church.”

Jones said that it is doubtful that Huntsville would have seen such economic growth if Tuberville’s claims were true.

“If what Tuberville said about North Alabama were true, there’s no way Hadrian would be building a facility in the Shoals to construct the submarines of the future,” he said. “There would be no way Eli Lilly, which could’ve located anywhere in the world, would’ve selected (Huntsville) for their multibillion-dollar new complex; there would be no way Mazda Toyota would’ve selected (Huntsville) to build automobiles for the future.”

Jones leveled another criticism at his opponent who recently announced plans to model a state-level efficiency drive after DOGE.

“His mentor is Donald Trump,” Jones said. “That is not leadership. He doesn’t see elective office as public service. He sees it as self-service.”

Jones closed in thanking the “newcomers” for their contributions to the space program and the nation’s defense.

“Throughout the decades, people moving to North Alabama have helped put a man on the moon, designed and built interceptors like Patriot and THAAD, that keep our soldiers and sailors safe when Iranian missiles target our Armed Forces,” he said. “You do not need to be re-educated. You need to be thanked.

“We respect you for who you are and the contributions you bring. Welcome home.”