AL-Gov: Republican Twinkle Cavanaugh, the chair of Alabama's Public Service Commission, has filed paperwork to create a campaign committee, apparently making her the first candidate to take formal steps toward running in next year's race for governor. While Cavanaugh's name had previously been mentioned, this is the first time we've heard from her directly, and oddly, though she submitted her papers a month ago, she hadn't said anything publicly until now. (Cavanaugh confirmed to AL.com that her committee is a "vehicle to plan for a run for governor," adding, "Stay tuned!")
A whole boatload of other Republicans are looking at this race (and a few Democrats, too), but as we've chronicled in detail, major questions remain to be resolved regarding the current occupant of the governor's mansion, Republican Robert Bentley, who is currently being investigated by state lawmakers as part of an impeachment inquiry. If Bentley is impeached or removed from office, that would elevate Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey to his post, potentially upending the race to succeed him. But whatever happens, ambitious candidates like Cavanaugh have to start preparing, and they can't wait around for action from the slow-moving legislature, which has been considering the matter for a year now.