Alabama Public Service Commission

Alabama Public Service Commission
General information
Office Type:	Partisan
Office website:	Official Link
Compensation:	$114,639
2025 FY Budget:	$21,511,855
Total Seats:	3
Term limits:	None
Structure
Length of term:	4 years
Authority:	Code of Alabama, Title 37-1-1
Selection Method:	Elected
Current Officeholder(s)
Cynthia Almond, Chris Beeker, III, Jeremy Oden
Elections
Next election:	2026
Last election:	2024
Other Alabama Executive Offices
Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission

The Alabama Public Service Commission is a quasi-executive, elected agency of the Alabama state government, responsible for regulating the state's utility companies. The commission's mission is to "ensure a regulatory balance between regulated companies and consumers in order to provide consumers with safe, adequate and reliable services at rates that are equitable and economical."

Current officeholder

Office	Name	Party
Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1	Jeremy Oden	Republican
Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2	Chris Beeker, III	Republican
Alabama Public Service Commission President	Cynthia Almond	Republican

Authority

The Alabama Public Service Commission was created by the Alabama Legislature in 1915 out of the existing Railroad Commission created in 1881. Between 1881-1915 the duties of the commission were expanded to include regulating utilities that provided electricity, gas, water and steam, leading the legislature to decide on the change. Since then it has been further expanded to include utility rates, motor transportation companies, air carriers, and natural gas transmission and distribution.

The Public Service Commission's authority and duties and are established by Title 37 of the Code of Alabama.

Section 37-1-1:

A commission to be known as the Public Service Commission, consisting of a president and two associates who shall be competent persons and qualified electors of this state, is established.

Qualifications

The only qualification established for members of the Public Service Commission is that the incumbent may not be an employee or have any "pecuniary interest," including stock ownership, in any utility.

Code of Alabama, Section 37-1-6:

No person owning any stock in any utility, or in the employment of any utility or pecuniarily interested in any utility, as defined in this title, shall be eligible to the office of public service commissioner.

Elections

Presidents of the Public Service Commission are elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday every four years during presidential election years (2016, 2020, 2024, etc.). Two associate commissioners are elected every four years during congressional midterm election years (2018, 2022, 2026, etc.). Presidents assume office on the day after election.

Term limits

There are no term limits for the those on the Public Service Commission.

Election results

• 2030
• 2028
• 2026
• 2024
• 2022
• 2020
• 2018

See also: Alabama Public Service Commission election, 2030

Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

Alabama Public Service Commission President

See also: Alabama Public Service Commission election, 2028

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: Alabama Public Service Commission election, 2026

Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1

John Northrop (D) and Matt Gentry (R) are running in the general election for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		John Northrop (D)
	Submit photo	Matt Gentry (R)

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2

Brent Woodall (R) is running in the general election for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Brent Woodall (R)

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Alabama Public Service Commission President

See also: Alabama Public Service Commission election, 2024

General election

General election for Alabama Public Service Commission President

Incumbent Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh (R) won election in the general election for Alabama Public Service Commission President on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh (R)	97.3	1,538,888
		Other/Write-in votes	2.7%	42,061

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,580,949
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

The Democratic primary scheduled for March 5, 2024, was canceled.

Republican primary

Republican primary for Alabama Public Service Commission President

Incumbent Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh (R) defeated Robert McCollum (R) in the Republican primary for Alabama Public Service Commission President on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh	61.1	330,483
		Robert McCollum	38.9	210,122

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 540,605
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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See also: Alabama Public Service Commission election, 2022

Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1

General election

General election for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1

Incumbent Jeremy Oden (R) defeated Ron Bishop (L) in the general election for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jeremy Oden (R)	84.4	937,114
		Ron Bishop (L)	15.6	173,287
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0%	26

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,110,427
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary runoff

Republican primary runoff for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1

Incumbent Jeremy Oden (R) defeated Brent Woodall (R) in the Republican primary runoff for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1 on June 21, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jeremy Oden	52.3	175,842
	Submit photo	Brent Woodall	47.7	160,263

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 336,105
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

The Democratic primary scheduled for May 24, 2022, was canceled.

Republican primary

Republican primary for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1

Incumbent Jeremy Oden (R) and Brent Woodall (R) advanced to a runoff. They defeated John Hammock (R) and Stephen McLamb (R) in the Republican primary for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1 on May 24, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jeremy Oden	34.3	166,972
✔	Submit photo	Brent Woodall	30.9	150,564
		John Hammock	23.9	116,532
		Stephen McLamb	10.9	52,944

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 487,012
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2

General election

General election for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2

Incumbent Chris Beeker (R) defeated Laura Lane (L) in the general election for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Chris Beeker (R)	83.2	931,354
		Laura Lane (L)	16.1	179,883
		Other/Write-in votes	0.8%	8,624

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,119,861
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary runoff

Republican primary runoff for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2

Incumbent Chris Beeker (R) defeated Robert McCollum (R) in the Republican primary runoff for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2 on June 21, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Chris Beeker	63.2	215,377
		Robert McCollum	36.8	125,178

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 340,555
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

The Democratic primary scheduled for May 24, 2022, was canceled.

Republican primary

Republican primary for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2

Incumbent Chris Beeker (R) and Robert McCollum (R) advanced to a runoff. They defeated Robin Litaker (R) in the Republican primary for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2 on May 24, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Chris Beeker	43.1	208,175
✔		Robert McCollum	35.9	173,004
		Robin Litaker	21.0	101,347

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 482,526
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Alabama Public Service Commission President

See also: Alabama Public Service Commission election, 2020

General election

General election for Alabama Public Service Commission President

Incumbent Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh (R) defeated Laura Casey (D) in the general election for Alabama Public Service Commission President on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh (R)	62.0	1,403,790
		Laura Casey (D)	37.9	858,054
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1%	2,726

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,264,570
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Alabama Public Service Commission President

Laura Casey (D) defeated Robert Mardis III (D) in the Democratic primary for Alabama Public Service Commission President on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Laura Casey	78.5	252,851
		Robert Mardis III	21.5	69,352

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 322,203
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Alabama Public Service Commission President

Incumbent Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh (R) defeated Robin Litaker (R) in the Republican primary for Alabama Public Service Commission President on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh	73.8	462,979
		Robin Litaker	26.2	164,227

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 627,206
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1

General election

General election for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1

Incumbent Jeremy Oden (R) defeated Cara McClure (D) in the general election for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jeremy Oden (R)	60.4	1,013,072
		Cara McClure (D)	39.5	662,581
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1%	940

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,676,593 (100% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1

Cara McClure (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Cara McClure

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1

Incumbent Jeremy Oden (R) defeated Jim Bonner (R) in the Republican primary for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jeremy Oden	50.6	222,830
		Jim Bonner	49.4	217,721

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 440,551
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2

General election

General election for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2

Incumbent Chris Beeker (R) defeated Kari Powell (D) in the general election for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Chris Beeker (R)	60.1	1,006,713
		Kari Powell (D)	39.9	668,620
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1%	1,029

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,676,362 (100% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2

Kari Powell (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Kari Powell

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2

Incumbent Chris Beeker (R) defeated Robin Litaker (R) in the Republican primary for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Chris Beeker	68.7	281,753
		Robin Litaker	31.3	128,587

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 410,340
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Previous election results

2016

See also: Alabama Public Service Commission election, 2016

The general election for President of the Alabama Public Service Commission was held on November 8, 2016.

Incumbent Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh ran unopposed in the Alabama public service commission election.

Alabama Public Service Commission, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh Incumbent (unopposed)

2014

See also: Alabama down ballot state executive elections, 2014

Place 1: Republican incumbent Jeremy Oden won re-election without opposition on November 4, 2014.

Place 2: Republican Chip Beeker won election without opposition on November 4, 2014. Beeker unseated incumbent Terry Dunn in the 2014 Republican primary runoff election.

2012

See also: Alabama down ballot state executive elections, 2012 Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh (R) defeated incumbent Lucy Baxley (D) for president of the Public Service Commission in the general election on November 6, 2012.

Alabama Public Service Commission President General Election, 2012
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Twinkle Cavanaugh	54.2%	1,078,108
	Democratic	Lucy Baxley Incumbent	45.8%	909,323
Total Votes				1,987,431
Election results via Alabama Secretary of State

Vacancies

Details of vacancy appointments are addressed in Section 37-1-3 of the Alabama Code. If a vacancy occurs on the public service commission, the governor has the power to fill the unexpired term.

Duties

Commissioners supervise and regulate the state's electricity, gas, water, railroad, and telecommunications companies. Additionally, commissioners supervise transportation companies operating toll bridges, ferries, or roads. The commission's mission is "[t]o ensure a regulatory balance between regulated companies and consumers in order to provide consumers with safe, adequate and reliable services at rates that are equitable and economical."

Divisions

Click here to view a large-scale image of the Alabama state government organizational chart, as of 9/11/12.

As of January 5, 2021, divisions within the Public Service Commission included:

• Electricity
• Utility Services
• Gas Pipeline Safety
• Utility Enforcement (Transportation)
• Administrative
• Legal

State budget

See also: Alabama state budget and finances

The budget for the Public Service Commission in Fiscal Year 2025 was $21,511,855.

Compensation

See also: Compensation of state executive officers

2023

In 2023, each commissioner received a salary of $114,639, according to the Council of State Governments.

2022

In 2022, each commissioner received a salary of $106,594, according to the Council of State Governments.

2021

In 2021, each commissioner received a salary of $106,594, according to the Council of State Governments.

2020

In 2020, each commissioner received a salary of $107,258 according to the Council of State Governments.

2019

In 2019, each commissioner received a salary of $103,490 according to the Council of State Governments.

2018

In 2018, each commissioner received a salary of $103,490 according to the Council of State Governments.

2017

In 2017, each commissioner received a salary of $103,490 according to the Council of State Governments.

2016

In 2016, each commissioner received a salary of $103,490, according to the Council of State Governments.

2015

In 2015, each commissioner received a salary of $103,490, according to the Council of State Governments.

2014

In 2014, the commissioners each received a salary of $103,490, according to the Council of State Governments.

2013

In 2013, the commissioners were paid an estimated $103,490, according to the Council of State Governments.

Historical officeholders

Since 1881, Alabama has had 20 public service commission presidents.

Click "show" for former officeholders.

	Name	Took office	Left office	Party
1	Walter L. Bragg	February 1881	February 1885
2	Henry R. Shorter	February 1885	February 1897
3	James Crook	February 1897	February 1901
4	John V. Smith	March 1901	March 1905
5	B.B. Comer	March 1905	January 1907
6	Charles Henderson	January 1907	January 1915
7	Samuel P. Kennedy	June 1915	January 1923
8	A.G. Patterson	January 1923	January 1927
9	Hugh White	January 1927	January 1945
10	Gordon Persons	January 1945	January 1951
11	C.C. (Jack) Owen	January 1951	January 1965
12	Eugene (Bull) Conner	January 1965	January 1973
13	Kenneth Hammond	January 1973	December 1975
14	C.C. Whatley	December 1975	January 1977
15	Juanita W. McDaniel	January 1977	February 1980
16	William J. Samford, Jr.	February 1980	January 1981
17	Billy Joe Camp	January 1981	January 1983
18	Jim Sullivan	February 1983	November 2008
19	Lucy Baxley	November 2008	November 2012	Democratic
20	Twinkle Cavanaugh	November 2012	June 2025	Republican
21	Cynthia Almond	June 2025	Present	Republican

Contact information

Physical address:
100 N. Union Street, RSA Union
Montgomery, AL 36104

Phone: 334-242-5218

External links

Suggest a link

• Alabama Public Service Commission

Footnotes

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