Molly Cook

Molly Cook (born June 6, 1991) is an American registered nurse and politician who is a member of the Texas Senate for the 15th district. A Democrat, she was elected in a May special election to fill the vacancy from John Whitmire resigning to become Mayor of Houston. Cook is openly bisexual, and her win in the May special election was the first time an openly LGBTQ+ person was elected to the Texas Senate. She is also the first woman to represent the 15th district of the Texas Senate.

Political career

Cook first ran for the Texas Senate against Whitmire in the Democratic primary election in 2022, positioning herself as a more progressive option. She lost with 42% of the vote in the primary, Whitmire's closest margin since the early 1990s.

Cook ran again in 2024, both in the general election for the term beginning January 14, 2025, and in the special election to fill the vacancy caused by Whitmire's election to serve as Mayor of Houston. On March 5, 2024, she advanced from the Democratic primary to a runoff with State Representative Jarvis Johnson. She then won the May 4 special election to fill the remainder of Whitmire's unexpired term.

Electoral history

Personal life Cook supports abortion, saying, “In 2014, I had an abortion. Abortion is a medical procedure and a personal choice. Our Legislature’s role is to make sure abortions are safe, accessible and stigma-free for every Texan".

She is openly bisexual.