Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh

Twinkle Cavanaugh
President of the Alabama Public Service Commission
In office
November 7, 2012 – June 1, 2025
GovernorRobert J. Bentley
Kay Ivey
Preceded byLucy Baxley
Succeeded byCynthia Almond (designate)
Member of the Alabama Public Service Commission
Place 1
In office
January 17, 2011 – November 7, 2012
GovernorRobert J. Bentley
Preceded byJan Cook
Succeeded byJeremy Oden
Chair of the Alabama Republican Party
In office
February 12, 2005 – February 10, 2007
Preceded byMarty Connors
Succeeded byMike Hubbard
Personal details
Born
Twinkle Andress

(1966-03-10) March 10, 1966 (age 59)
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJeff Cavanaugh
Children3
EducationAuburn University (BA)

Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh (born March 10, 1966)[1] is an American politician. A member of the Alabama Republican Party, she served as president of the Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) from 2012 to 2025.[2]

Career

[edit]

Cavanaugh served as the chair of the Alabama Republican Party from 2005 to 2007.[1][3][4]

She was first elected to the PSC in 2010, and was elected as PSC president in 2012, defeating incumbent Democratic president Lucy Baxley.[5][6][7] Under her leadership, the PSC has been criticized for its failure to improve high energy prices in the state.[8][9]

She ran for Lieutenant Governor in 2018, but ultimately lost to Will Ainsworth.[10]

In 2025, she was appointed to be the USDA state director of rural development by Donald Trump.[11] She resigned as PSC president on June 1.[12]

Personal life

[edit]

She is married to Jeff Cavanaugh, and has three children.[13]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh (R)". WBHM. 14 February 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  2. ^ "AP Interview: Alabama's last Democrat reviews career". 10 November 2012.
  3. ^ "Cavanaugh only Candidate for Alabama Republican Chairmanship". 8 February 2005.
  4. ^ "Hubbard new GOP chairman".
  5. ^ "Other state officials sworn in".
  6. ^ Rocha, Alander. "Twinkle Cavanaugh leaves Public Service Commission for Trump administration job". Alabama Reflector. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  7. ^ "Moore beats Vance to reclaim chief justice post". Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  8. ^ Lyman, Brian (3 September 2024). "The complacency of the Alabama Public Service Commission". Alabama Reflector. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  9. ^ "Twinkle Cavanaugh refuses to interview with ABC 33/40 regarding power bill complaints". ABC 33/40 News. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  10. ^ "What is Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh's real name?". AL.com. 18 July 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  11. ^ Everett, Grayson. "Twinkle Cavanaugh appointed by Trump administration as USDA rural development chief for Alabama". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  12. ^ "Twinkle Cavanaugh resigning from Alabama Public Service Commission for Trump Administration job". AL.com. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  13. ^ "President Cavanaugh's Bio". Alabama Public Service Commission. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Marty Connors
Chair of the Alabama Republican Party
2005–2007
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Member of the Alabama Public Service Commission
Place 1

2011–2012
Succeeded by
Preceded by President of the Alabama Public Service Commission
2012–2025
Succeeded by