Not Getting Their Wads' Worth

[WilliamW]

Another scumbag pol caught in an easily detectable lie. In a way that's a good sign, because it means she hasn't had enough practice yet to figure out how to get away with it.

“Dr.” Nicole Wadsworth falsely claimed University of Alabama PhD, campaign admits

Grayson Everett — June 11, 2025


(Dr. Nicole J. Wadsworth for Lt. Governor/Facebook, Screenshot)


After demanding to be referred to as “Dr.” by news organizations in their coverage of the 2026 Alabama Lieutenant Governor’s race – it turns out that Nicole Wadsworth does not have the PhD she claimed.

A campaign spokesperson for Wadsworth, age 41, explicitly described her credentials to Yellowhammer News in a statement last week.

“She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, a master’s from the Florida Institute of Technology (Huntsville campus), and a Ph.D. from the University of Alabama. She also holds an Economic Development Leadership Certification from Auburn and an Alabama Planning and Zoning Certification from the University of North Alabama,” the campaign spokesperson wrote.

The same campaign spokesperson specifically told another news outlet last week that her PhD from the University of Alabama was in economics. 

According to one of the many online profiles created by Wadsworth, formerly Nicole Jones, to promote a commercial real estate group she formed in April 2012, she holds a Doctor of Theology  (Th.D) in Faith and Public Policy – however no institution is listed. 

Without context, the Wadsworth campaign released a statement on Wednesday morning saying that she does not in fact have a PhD from The University of Alabama.

“We would like to issue a brief clarification regarding Dr. Nicole Wadsworth’s academic background. In an earlier communication, our campaign made a mistype, specifically the institution that conferred her Ph.D. It was mentioned that she completed her Ph.D. at the University of Alabama,” a campaign spokesperson wrote.

The statement goes on to claim that Wadsworth does hold an undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and that Wadsworth “began graduate level coursework at the University of Alabama, then transferred to the Florida Institute of Technology – Huntsville campus and earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Science in Acquisition and Contract Management.”

Ultimately, Wadsworth claims she “completed” her PhD at [unaccredited] North Central Theological Seminary – an institution that she has never publicly listed across her expansive web presence.

Yellowhammer News requested verification of Wadsworth’s degree credentials from the University of Alabama System and Florida Institute of Technology.

A spokesperson for the University of Alabama System responded in a statement on Wednesday afternoon saying, “The University of Alabama does not have any record of Nicole Jones Wadsworth obtaining a degree at UA. Due to federal privacy laws, we are unable to provide additional information.”

Alabama news outlets became suspicious of Wadsworth’s credentials when a memo was distributed to media organizations effectively demanding they refer to her as “Dr.” Nicole Wadsworth in their coverage. However, the designation of “Dr.” is reserved in news reporting only for those who have earned their Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)

In a recent radio appearance, Wadsworth claimed she has never run for public office prior to seeking the Lt. Governorship now in the 2026 election cycle. 

However, while under the name Nicole Jones from a previous marriage – prior to marrying State Rep. Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley) around 2021 – Jones ran for office twice.

First, as a Republican for Alabama State Senate District 7 in 2017 – which she filed paperwork for with the Alabama Secretary of State’s office during the 2018 election cycle – before dissolving the campaign in August 2017. 

Instead, she opted to run for Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, and campaigned for the office until March 2018, months short of the June 2018 primary election date. 

A news report from July 2017 detailed her campaign for Ag Commissioner. 

“Over the past several weeks I have prayerfully considered where to best leave a legacy in our State, and the Lord presented an opportunity that overwhelmed my heart. At this time, I would be honored to have your support as I run for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries,” she was quoted as saying. 

At that time, she reported that she was “working on a Doctorate in Theology…”

[Don Dresden]

Another scumbag pol caught in an easily detectable lie. In a way that's a good sign, because it means she hasn't had enough practice yet to figure out how to get away with it.

Also shows she was smart (or devious) enough not to claim a fake degree from a fake school (e.g., like "Sheffield State") that would immediately ring alarms. I always wonder why any con artist bothers spending good money on a fake degree from a fake school when they can lie about a fake degree from a real school for free.

“She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, a master’s from the Florida Institute of Technology (Huntsville campus), and a Ph.D. from the University of Alabama. ..."

Yellowhammer News requested verification of Wadsworth’s degree credentials from the University of Alabama System and Florida Institute of Technology. 

A spokesperson for the University of Alabama System responded in a statement on Wednesday afternoon saying, “The University of Alabama does not have any record of Nicole Jones Wadsworth obtaining a degree at UA....”

So is the claimed bachelor's degree from Alabama a lie too? How did she get a legit master's from Florida Tech with a fake bachelor's? Or is the master's fake too? The article author doesn't mention what kind of response he got from Florida Tech. Probably decided the Chuck Berry Rule applied ("Too Much Monkey Business") and that the admission of a fake doctorate was plenty enough to hang her.

[Dickie Billericay]

A campaign spokesperson for Wadsworth, age 41, explicitly described her credentials to Yellowhammer News in a statement last week.

With a turkey neck like that, it's a safe bet she's shaving a decade or two off her age as well. Would speculate on hair dye and silicone too but that's not a very inspiring mental picture.

[WilliamW]

Latest: Rats leave sinking ship. Florida Tech won't confirm master's degree.

Nicole Wadsworth’s entire campaign staff quits, citing ‘persistent misinformation’

Grayson Everett — June 12, 2025



Nicole Wadsworth, candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama in 2026, no longer has any campaign staff, her former campaign manager told Yellowhammer News on Thursday. 

Hunter Weathers, a recent college graduate and former campaign staffer for Governor Kay Ivey, said in a statement that he has officially stepped away from the troubled campaign – “along with the entire campaign staff.” 

In his statement, Weathers said during his departure, he worked to “correct the record” after disseminating false information to media outlets regarding Wadsworth’s academic credentials. 

Yesterday, Yellowhammer News reported that rather than having a PhD in economics from the University of Alabama – Wadsworth instead claims that credential came from an unaccredited, Florida-based online seminary that offers degrees that are not transferable nor accepted by other universities, and are “not intended for employment purposes.”

On Thursday, Florida Institute of Technology, where she claims she earned two master’s degrees, said in a statement to Yellowhammer News that they could neither confirm nor deny that Wadsworth was a student there or if she has earned any degrees. 

Wadsworth’s longshot bid for the second-highest statewide constitutional office went from bad to worse when – at her direction – Weathers dispatched an email to the state’s press corps with a directive to refer to the candidate as “Dr. Nicole Wadsworth” in the news coverage they publish. 

Just over a week later, he had to walk back the information his candidate had given him, and sent out another press release to reveal the falsehood. 

“From the beginning, I accepted this role with a sense of duty and optimism, rooted in the belief that we could bring something honest and impactful to the people of Alabama,” Weathers said in his statement. 

“Unfortunately, persistent misinformation and ongoing internal miscommunications made it increasingly difficult to uphold those values in a way I felt comfortable with. Leadership requires trust and clarity, and without those, it became impossible to move forward in good faith.”

Weathers continues, “Before stepping away, I made it a priority to relay additional information that became known to the campaign so that the most accurate information available was known before the staffs departure. I worked diligently to correct the record and to ensure the public received the most accurate and complete information that I had at the time. The truth matters, and I owed it to the people of Alabama — and to myself — to make sure that truth was known.”

Additional elements of Wadsworth’s public claims have been proven to be untrue.

Wadsworth, formerly Nicole Jones, claimed that she has never run for public office before, yet she ran for State Senate in 2017 before dropping out of the race to run for Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries in 2018 before also dropping out months before the primary election.

Wadsworth claims to be an official mediator through Jones Wadsworth Mediation, however her name does not appear on the official directory of mediators licensed by the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution, which works with courts, the Alabama State Bar, state agencies and private entities to resolve disputes formally.

A request for information about Wadsworth’s legitimacy as a mediator was made by Yellowhammer News with ADR Director Eileen L. Harris on Wednesday, and has not yet been returned.

Wadsworth has at least three companies that bear her name registered with the state: Nicole Jones Commercial Est AL, Inc. formed in 2019, Nicole Jones Commercial Real Estate LLC formed in 2013, and Nicole Jones Development, LLC formed in 2012.

Less than 10 days ago, “Jones Wadsworth Inc.” was also formed, with State Rep. Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley) listed as the registered agent.

While Nicole uses the surname “Wadsworth” in official filings, such as on her principal campaign committee with the Alabama Secretary of State’s office, calls State Rep. Tim Wadsworth her husband, and refers to herself as a “legislative spouse” — no record of their legal marriage exists.

Yellowhammer News confirmed this week that the Winston, Marion, and Lamar County probate court systems have no marriage certificate between Wadsworth and Jones.

The Alabama Department of Vital Statistics, which receives and records all marriage certificates issued in the state, also does not have a marriage record for them, leaving only the possibility that Wadsworth and Jones were legally married in a different state.

A request for clarification about their legal status by Yellowhammer News was forwarded to the Wadsworth campaign by Weathers as one of his final acts as manager before resigning on Thursday along with the entire campaign staff.

[WilliamW]

Not just a turkey-necked diploma miller, but an adjudicated liar as well. I guess that's why she thought she was so well qualified to hold public office.

Wadsworth staying in lt. gov. race, recent records show lengthy legal battle

June 14, 2025 • Campaign 2026, News

By Mary Sell

Nicole Wadsworth is staying in the state lieutenant governor race “to fight for the hardworking people of Alabama” her staff said Friday after her campaign stumbled this week with the departure of her original campaign team members amid questions about her academic titles.

“This campaign has always been about giving every Alabamian a voice — and that mission is far from over,” an email from the Republican candidate’s campaign to Alabama Daily News said.

But court records obtained by Alabama Daily News show this hasn’t been Wadsworth’s only recent conflict. A two-year legal battle over a real estate deal in Madison County resulted in a large judgment against her last year that was set aside in April. It may raise more questions for the real estate broker turned political hopeful.

Wadsworth is married to Rep. Tim Wadsworth, R-Arley. He’s up for reelection next year and may again face a GOP primary challenger. Tim Wadsworth is listed as Nicole Wadsworth’s campaign treasurer on her campaign finance report. He was also listed as an attorney for her in a Madison County real estate dispute.

$837,030 judgement, later set aside

Nicole Wadsworth has recently gone by Nicole Jones. In September 2024, Nicole Jones and Nicole Jones Commercial Real Estate was ordered by a Madison County Circuit Court to pay damages for making a known false representation to the plaintiff about the ownership status of a piece of property in Huntsville. The plaintiff in the 2022 case had made payments on the property to Jones’ client, but he didn’t own the site, according to filings.

“It is clear from the evidence that the defendant, Nicole Jones individual and on behalf of Nicole Jones Commercial Real Estate, did make a representation to the plaintiff as to the status of the title to the property … which was false and which she knew was false.” 

The court ordered Jones to pay $837,030 in compensatory and punitive damages. The court upheld the decision in a November order but vacated it on April 1 of this year, dismissing the case.

Attempts to reach both Wadsworths on Friday were unsuccessful. Her campaign did not answer questions about the lawsuit. 

Credential questions

Nicole Wadsworth announced her campaign last month and made a $20,000 personal loan to the effort, according to state campaign finance records.

In her initial campaign materials, said she had four degrees and two certifications as an economic developer, economist and real estate developer. 

Last week, her campaign sent an email to the media asking that she be referred to as a doctor.

“Dr. Nicole Wadsworth has earned her academic and professional titles and should be addressed accordingly in all future correspondence and press materials,” it said. “Going forward, we respectfully request that she be referred to as ‘Dr. Nicole Wadsworth’ in all headlines, articles, captions, and related content.”

Alabama Daily News and most news organizations follow Associated Press style and use “doctor” only for those with medical degrees.

YellowHammer News’ Grayson Everett early this week reported that Wadsworth’s campaign said her degrees included a PhD in economics from the University of Alabama. Her staff later walked that back. Her PhD is from North Central Theological Seminary – a Florida-based, online religious organization, Everett reported. 

The next day, Wadsworth’s campaign staff quit, citing “persistent misinformation.”

“Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, completed some graduate coursework at the University of Alabama, and went on to earn two master’s degrees — an MBA and a Master of Science in Acquisition and Contract Management — from the Florida Institute of Technology’s Huntsville campus,” her campaign said Friday. “She later earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from North Central Theological Seminary. The degrees were rightfully earned through the required testing and evaluations and any suggestion otherwise is simply false.

Nicole Wadsworth faces a tough GOP primary next year. Her competition is current Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen and Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate.

She’d briefly launched campaigns for state senate and then commissioner of agriculture in 2017.

Rep. Wadsworth

The Wadsworths’ marriage appears to be relatively new. Tim Wadsworth listed her as his wife on his required 2024 statement of economic interest filed a few months ago.

He’s represented the north Alabama House District 14 since 2014. In 2022, he faced two GOP primary challengers and was forced into a runoff with Tom Fredricks. Wadsworth received 55% of the vote in that contest. Fredricks told ADN on Friday he now lives outside the district and would not again seek that seat. Cory Franks, the Oakman, Ala. mayor who came in third in the GOP primary, said he may run again in 2026.

“I am considering it, I haven’t decided yet, but I am considering it,” Franks told ADN on Friday. “I haven’t fully committed to it, but I am leaning toward it.” 

The district includes portions of Winston, Walker, Jefferson and Cullman counties.