Twinkle Cavanaugh campaigning for fourth term
Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh (R) is canvassing the state to convince voters to give her a fourth term in office. President Cavanaugh has made several recent campaign appearances in her quest for re-election. “Thank you for the incredible support we’ve received on the campaign trail! From the state’s northern mountains to the Gulf Coasts’ beaches, I’m on a journey to connect with YOU, my fellow Alabamians. I look forward to meeting each of you!” Cavanaugh said recently on X. Cavanaugh recently spoke to both the Escambia County and Fayette County Republican Party. “Thank you, John Killian, for the invitation to meet with the Fayette County Republican Party and fellow elected Republicans!” Cavanaugh said on X. Prior to these recent appearances, the Cavanaugh campaign visited rural Southwest Alabama. Cavanaugh is a wife, a mother, and a small business owner. Cavanaugh said on her website that she believes a sound energy policy is the foundation for providing maximum opportunity to American workers. Cavanaugh says she has established a model ethics policy, cut government waste to save taxpayers millions of dollars annually, and assured the return of hundreds of millions of dollars to Alabama consumers. Cavanaugh has been a vocal critic of the Biden Administration’s energy policies, which she claims have adversely impacted ordinary American families and businesses with higher energy prices. Twinkle was the first female elected as chairman of the Alabama Republican Party. She is a graduate of Auburn University. She is married to Jeff Cavanaugh, a veterinarian, and they have three children and two grandchildren. They are active members of First Baptist Church in Montgomery and are involved in numerous community initiatives. Cavanaugh was first elected to the PSC in 2010 as a commissioner before being elected PSC President in 2012. Cavanaugh is being challenged for the Republican nomination for PSC President by Dadeville businessman Robert McCollum. McCollum ran previously for the PSC in 2022 – ultimately losing to incumbent Commissioner Chip Beeker in the Republican primary runoff. The Republican primary on March 5 will likely be winner-take-all all as no Democrat qualified for the office. Republicans have a three to zero majority presently on the PSC. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Conservatives hold rally and prayer service in front of the Alabama State Capital
On Thursday, a variety of conservative groups held a prayer service and rally for their issues in front of the Alabama Statehouse. The Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP) and Alabama Eagle Forum held a prayer service and followed that with a rally by the Campaign for Common Sense. The welcome-back rally urged legislators to advance a socially conservative agenda in the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session that began on Tuesday. ALCAP President and CEO and talk radio host Greg Davis said on Facebook, “We had a blessed time of prayer in Montgomery at the Statehouse steps yesterday with ALCAP – Alabama Citizens Action Program. I encourage all Christians to include those who serve us thru Government on your prayer lists and then truly lift them up to God!” Several speakers urged the Legislators to jettison the unpopular Common Core educational standards – renamed the Alabama College and Career Ready Standards by the state school board. The Rev. John Killian said that the state will not succeed educationally while Common Core remains in place. The Campaign for Common Sense Director Lou Campenosi said, “We have been coming here for 13 years, and still nothing has been done.” Campenosi said that the state of Alabama had gone from 20th in educational performance to 52nd in state educational rankings since switching to the Alabama College and Career Ready Standards. The Director of Alabama Eagle Forum, Becky Gerritson, told Alabama Today that State Sen. Larry Stutts and State Rep. Susan Dubose will introduce legislation in each House to prevent pregnant women from being able to obtain medical marijuana – which will become legal in Alabama by the end of the year. Gerritson said that the group would also support a bill to expand school choice for families across Alabama – the Universal School Choice Act. State Auditor Andrew Sorrell advocated for legislation to give his office powers similar to that of other state auditors. Sorrell said that he had been criticized as being “too conservative,” but in the recent November general election, it was he who won by the largest margin showing that true conservatives can win. Sorrell said that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis governed as a conservative and was rewarded with an easy re-election. State Rep. Ernie Yarbrough vowed to support the school choice bill. Former ALCAP Director Joe Godfrey said on Facebook, “Glad to have been a part of the ALCAP Prayer Rally led by Greg Davis.” Stephanie Durnin with the Healthcare Freedom group advocated for passage of the Healthcare Freedom Act. The controversial legislation would prevent employers from being able to require employees to be vaccinated. Durnin said that some workers who refused to get the vaccine are required to submit frequent COVID-19 tests. Durnin said that this was unfair and unjust. Healthcare Freedom wrote on Facebook, “We expect our legislators to pass the #neveragain legislation called the Alabama Health Freedom Act (AHFA) this session. We need your help to make this happen. Here’s your first CALL TO ACTION to kick off this legislative session right…” Other speakers included: former State Auditor Jim Zeigler, 1819 news podcaster Bryan Dawson, Jarman Leatherwood, Angela Shepard, Jackie Connell, Dr. Rick Lance, and others. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Tim James announces Faith & Family Values Advisory Committee
Today, the Tim James Governor Campaign announced they will be creating a Faith and Family Values Advisory Committee. The committee believes that the foundation for any great society and culture is faith and family. According to a press release, a Tim James Administration will be driven by the values these institutions represent, and the plan will be for committee members to have input on policy decisions important to the state of Alabama. “God, country, family, freedom—these are our bedrock principles, and they are at the center of our movement,” said James. “The members of this advisory committee are committed to God’s Word and are examples of godly leadership in their communities. Now, more than ever, we need strong men and women of faith providing input on public policy to preserve the values that have made our state and nation great.” Rev. Dr. John Killian, Chairman of the Coalition states, “We are in a war for liberty, for cultural sanity and for religious freedom. The Alabama State Motto is Audemus Jura Nostra Defendere or ‘We dare defend our rights’ and the current war on our liberties demands that we rise to defend our rights. In the 2022 election, we must send forth warriors who will rise to the occasion and defend our state, fight for our liberties, and war for our values. Tim James is battle-tested, filled with conviction, and motivated by his Christian faith. Alabama needs Tim James as our Governor ‘for such a time as this.’ (Esther 4:14)” The campaign will continue to add to this team, but initial members of the state Faith and Family Values Advisory Committee are as follows: Rev. Dr. Keith Adams, Fultondale Rev. Dr. Terry B. Batton, Barbour County Rev. Greg Beasley, Tuscumbia Rev. Tom Caradine, Birmingham Rev. Rick Cargile, Fayette Rev. Robert Cobb, Gordo Rev. Scott Dawson, Birmingham Rev. C. Dwight Everett, Scottsboro Rev. Dr. C.O. Grinstead, Oxford Rev. Ray Hallman, Tuscaloosa Rev. Fritz P. Harter, Hueytown Rev. David Haynes, Jacksonville Rev. Louis Johnson, Troy Rev. Donald Jones, Jemison Rev. Dr. John Killian, Fayette Dr. J. Chris Lamb, Birmingham Rev. Maurice McCaney, Florence Rev. Adrian Nottonson, Fayette Rev. Austin Olive, Fayette Rev. Dr. Michael Rouse, Birmingham Rev. Robert D. Smith, Moulton Rev. Tim Smith, Crossville Rev. Bill Sullivan, Fayette Dr. Tim Thompson, Auburn Rev. Randal Trimm, Berry Rev. David Webb, Jackson
Jim Zeigler: Don’t give Nancy Pelosi an extra vote and extra funds
“Alabama would lose an electoral vote in presidential elections. That vote would not disappear. It would go left.”
