After a decade and a half, Twinkle Cavanaugh is resigning from the Alabama Public Service Commission to accept an appointment as Alabama’s State Director for Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Cavanaugh’s appointment on Monday. Her last day as president of the PSC will be June 1. Sources told APR that Caroleene Dobson is likely to be appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey to replace Cavanaugh as PSC president.
“It has been a tremendous honor to serve the people of Alabama in this capacity,” Cavanaugh said in a statement. “I love working for you, and from day one, I took the trust you placed in me seriously. Every decision made, every mile traveled, and every late night was motivated by the desire to fight for the hardworking families in our great state.”
Cavanaugh was first elected to the PSC in 2010 and has served as president of the regulatory agency since 2012. Cavanaugh’s leadership has often been criticized by watchdog groups and various environmental groups.
But those critiques have done little to threaten her at the ballot box. Cavanaugh has rarely faced a serious challenge to her seat during her tenure, and in 2020, she collected the most votes of anyone on the ballot.
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt praised Cavanaugh’s appointment, saying Cavanaugh would be a strong advocate for Alabama’s farmers and cattlemen. Farmers Federation president Jimmy Parnell said Cavanaugh was just the sort of person the state needs at Rural Development.
“Her greatest asset is her strong network among real people — both individuals and businesses — and her ability to leverage relationships to get things done. We look forward to continuing our work together.”
