By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Wednesday, Manufacture Alabama announced that it has endorsed Public Service Commission President Twinkle Cavanaugh for lieutenant governor, an office in the 2018 Republican primary.
Manufacture Alabama’s President, George Clark, cited Cavanaugh’s conservative leadership, experience and reputation for the association’s endorsement and said, “Throughout her tenure at the PSC, Twinkle has proven herself be a champion for manufacturers and an advocate for all Alabamians.”
“The manufacturing industry in Alabama has always been crucial to our state’s economy and an integral part of our state’s culture,” Cavanaugh said. “I am honored to receive the endorsement of Manufacture Alabama and its job creators, and I am committed to supporting pro-jobs policies that will allow manufacturers to grow for the good of Alabama families.”
Manufacture Alabama is the state’s only trade association dedicated to the competitive, legislative, regulatory and operational interests and needs of manufacturers and their partner industries and businesses.
Cavanaugh was elected president of the Public Service Commission in 2012, defeating incumbent President Lucy Baxley. Twinkle was re-elected in 2016. Cavanaugh was the first woman Alabama Republican Party chairman. Twinkle was first elected to the commision as a commissioner in 2010. Prior to that, she served in Gov. Bob Riley’s administration and worked for the Republican National Committee.
Twinkle is running against State Rep. Will Ainsworth, R-Guntersville, and State Sen. Rusty Glover, R-Semmes, in the lieutenant governor party primary.
Florence-area Pastor Dr. Will Boyd is running as a Democrat.
The office is currently vacant, as former Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey was elevated to governor last April when then Gov. Robert Bentley resigned rather than face impeachment proceedings over alleged campaign and ethics violations.
Under Alabama law, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, assumed the lieutenant governor’s duties as president of the Senate, and the position was left vacant pending the 2018 election.
The major party primaries will be on June 5, 2018.
