Twinkle Cavanaugh leaves PSC to accept USDA position

May 27, 2025 – AUBURN, AL – Alabama Public Service Commission President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh has resigned her position to accept a role in the Trump Administration as Alabama state director for Rural Development.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the appointment on Tuesday afternoon,

"President Trump is putting Farmers First, and so is the incredible team we are building at the Department of Agriculture," said Secretary Rollins. "Our latest additions to the USDA family are personally invested in ensuring farmers and rural America prosper. 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 that Rural Development Directors help affirm the mission of the Trump Administration by focusing on finding ways to empower rural America and unleash economic prosperity.

“It has been a tremendous honor to serve the people of Alabama in this capacity,” President Cavanaugh said in a statement announcing her resignation. “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.”

“Together, we brought natural gas to poultry farmers in east Alabama, helping to sustain the agriculture industry which feeds our families," said Cavanaugh. "We fought the misguided liberal mandates and burdensome energy policies pushed by both the Obama and Biden Administrations, protecting Alabamians from the devastating fiscal consequences of the far-left Green New Deal agenda,”

"Twinkle Cavanaugh is the kind of person we need at Rural Development," said Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell. "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."

"Congratulations to PSC President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh on her appointment as Alabama’s State Director for Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture We’re excited to see her leadership skills put to work advancing President Donald J. Trump’s #AmericaFirst agenda and supporting our farmers and rural communities," the Alabama Republican Party said in a statement to social media.

Cavanaugh served as Chief of Staff for popular two term Governor Bob Riley (R). She was the first woman to serve as Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party. In 2010 she was elected to serve on the Alabama Public Service Commission. She was elected President of the PSC in 2012. She successfully led the PSC through the difficult times in the years following the Great Recession when state budgets were suffering. Cavanaugh modernized the PSC's operations while cutting excess staff, office space, and vehicles. The savings Cavanaugh and her team created went to the Alabama State General Fund at a time when the Legislature was struggling to balance the beleaguered SGF. Cavanaugh was re-elected in 2016, 2020, and 2024.

Governor Kay Ivey (R) will appoint someone to fill the vacancy at PSC President.

Attorney and former Congressional candidate Caroleene Dobson appears to be the frontrunner for that appointment according to sources that have spoken with the Alabama Gazette.

We have not had confirmation of that from the Governor's office.