Twinkle Cavanaugh appointed by Trump administration as USDA rural development chief for Alabama

Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, President of the Alabama Public Service Commission, was officially appointed as Alabama’s State Director for Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Tuesday.

Cavanaugh has served as president of the Public Service Commission since 2012 and was first elected statewide in 2010. In 2020, she received the most votes in Alabama history for a non-presidential candidate. Effective June 1, Cavanaugh will step down from the PSC. She said she is doing so with a grateful heart.

“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.”

“Together, we brought natural gas to poultry farmers in east Alabama, helping to sustain the agriculture industry which feeds our families. 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,” Cavanaugh added.

Secretary Brooke Rollins said she looks forward to seeing what Cavanaugh and the full slate of recent appointments will accomplish on the country’s behalf.

“President Trump is putting Farmers First, and so is the incredible team we are building at the Department of Agriculture. Our latest additions to the USDA family are personally invested in ensuring farmers and rural America prosper,” Secretary Rollins said.

“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.”

U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) praised the appointment, calling Cavanaugh an outstanding champion for Alabama’s family farmers and rural communities

In her new role, Cavanaugh will oversee rural development initiatives to drive economic prosperity and infrastructure in rural communities throughout Alabama. According to the USDA, RD State Directors are focused on on finding ways to empower rural America and unleash economic prosperity.

Britt also celebrated the appointment of Alabama farmer Monica Carroll as the state’s Farm Service Agency executive director earlier this month.

“I am grateful to President Trump and Secretary Rollins for these tremendous appointments. Both Twinkle and Monica are outstanding champions for Alabama’s family farmers and rural communities. These well-deserved leadership roles will ensure that Alabama’s farmers and cattlemen have strong advocates who understand firsthand their current priorities and challenges as well as future opportunities to strengthen our state and nation’s food security,” Sen. Britt said.

“I am confident their dedicated work will advance the efforts of the Trump Administration to put our farmers first once again.”

Cavanaugh’s appointment to the USDA leaves the top role of Alabama Public Service Commission President temporarily vacant. Governor Kay Ivey is expected to appoint her replacement in the coming days.

Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell said on Tuesday that Cavanaugh’s proven track record of sensible spending and common-sense government will serve the state well.

“Twinkle Cavanaugh is the kind of person we need at Rural Development,” Parnell said.

“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.”

Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.