They say it’s the woman’s prerogative to change her mind, and that certainly seems to be the case with the president of the Alabama Public Service Commission Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh.
Cavanaugh, a Republican, on Thursday announced she is no longer running for governor, but will run for lieutenant governor instead.
Cavanaugh began to explore the idea of running for governor in January, when the state was plagued by scandal under former Gov. Robert Bentley. In March, she announced she would run for governor, but by April, Bentley had resigned and Gov. Kay Ivey had been sworn in. In the months that have followed, Cavanaugh says Ivey has “provided the leadership we needed to move our state forward” and thus, no longer feels she could best serve the state by running for lieutenant governor instead.
While Ivey has yet to say if she running in 2018, there is growing speculation and expectation that she will.
“At this time, I believe that I can best serve the people of Alabama not by running against Governor Ivey but by working with her to help enact real conservative reform as the Lieutenant Governor,” said Cavanaugh. “Brighter days are ahead, but we must push forward with strong, conservative leadership.”
She continued, “It is important for our state to have an experienced conservative providing leadership in the Lieutenant Governor’s office. Alabama needs to see conservative solutions when it comes to jobs, the economy, infrastructure and rural broadband, education, eliminating government waste, and much more. It is time for Alabama to take charge of its own education system and produce a top-notch, trained workforce. With education as a priority, we will grow existing businesses and expand industrial recruitment. I look forward to continuing to lead on job creation in the Lt. Governor’s office.”
Cavanaugh joins a crowded field of Republican hopefuls who are also seeking the post, including State Rep. Will Ainsworth, Sen. Rusty Glover and state Board of Education member Mary Scott Hunter.
The lieutenant governor presides over the Alabama Senate.
