On October 2, 2025, President Donald Trump nominated William “Billy” Hewes III, a Republican politician from Mississippi, to serve as a Commissioner of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The Nominee: Background and Experience
While Hewes’ experience in product safety is unclear, he has a long career in public service. He served in the Mississippi State Senate, representing the 49th District from 1992 to 2012, and was President Pro Tempore from 2008 until 2012. He then served three terms as mayor of Gulfport, Mississippi, from 2013 to 2025. In addition to his political career, Hewes has worked in real estate and insurance as the owner of Billy Hewes Real Estate and Billy Hewes III Insurance Agency. He is also a member of the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Board of the South Mississippi Planning and Development District.
Hewes received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1984.
His nomination has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, chaired by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. If confirmed by the Senate, Hewes will serve as CPSC Commissioner until October 26, 2031.
CPSC: Agency Purpose and Latest Developments
CPSC is an independent federal agency responsible for safeguarding the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death linked to consumer products. Created by Congress in 1972 under the Consumer Product Safety Act, the CPSC develops and enforces safety standards for a wide range of products. The Commission consists of five members, each nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate to serve staggered seven-year terms.
Hewes’ nomination comes during a period of significant turnover at the independent agency. In May 2025, President Trump removed three Democratic Commissioners, Mary T. Boyle,
Alex Hoehn-Saric, and Richard Trumka Jr., leaving only two Republicans on the Commission.
A lawsuit challenging their removal is currently pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Then, on August 22, 2025, Commissioner Douglas Dziak announced his resignation, leaving Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman as the sole remaining Commissioner.
For questions about CPSC or product safety matters, please reach out to the authors of this post or the key contacts of Husch Blackwell’s Product Safety team.