Cavanaugh stepping down from Public Service Commission to take USDA role

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Twinkle Cavanaugh, the president of Alabama’s Public Service Commission, is stepping down next month to take an appointed role at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Cavanaugh will serve as state director for Rural Development in Alabama.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced Cavanaugh’s appointment Wednesday along with several other state appointments.

“I look forward to seeing the work they will do supporting farmers, ranchers, and producers across the country by implementing President Trump’s America First policies,” Rollins said.

Cavanaugh was first elected to the Public Service Commission in 2010. The three-person board regulates utilities in the state. She was elected president of the commission in 2012. She ran for lieutenant governor in 2018 but did not secure the Republican nomination.

Cavanaugh said she is resigning from the commission on June 1. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey will appoint a replacement to the utility board.