Washington Cook

Washington Cook (February 22, 1873 – October 12, 1955) was an American politician who served one term on the Massachusetts Governor's Council. He was the brother of Massachusetts State Auditor Alonzo B. Cook.

Early life Cook was born on February 22, 1873, in Boston. He attended public school in Boston and Somerville, Massachusetts. Cook later moved to Sharon, Massachusetts, where he served on the town's school committee.

Political career On March 9, 1922, Cook announced that he would challenge Henry Cabot Lodge for his United States Senate seat. He ran on a platform that supported the League of Nations, women's suffrage, enforcement of the 18th Amendment, measures to stop the lynching of African-Americans in the south, creation of a national divorce law, and adequate compensation for soldiers. He finished fifth out of six candidates with 0.9%.

In 1924, Cook upset incumbent Executive Councilor William W. Ollendorff in the 2nd District Republican primary.

In 1926, Cook ran for reelection to his council seat and also ran as an independent for the office of United States Senator. In his second run for the U.S. Senate, Cook supported modification of the Volstead Act, old age pensions, public ownership of coal mines, railroads, oil fields, and hydroelectric power, and elimination of the Electoral College. Cook finished a distant third in the 2nd District Republican primary behind Chester I. Campbell and William W. Ollendorff and received 0.47% of the vote in the U.S. Senate election.

Cook was the Prohibition Party's nominee in the 1928 Massachusetts gubernatorial election. He received 0.2% of the vote.

In 1930, Cook challenged his brother, Alonzo, for his office of Massachusetts State Auditor. It was reported that the Cooks "[had] not been friendly for some time" and their disagreements once led to a physical altercation. Washington Cook later withdrew from the race, but not after he launched what the Boston Daily Globe described as "a vigorous attack" on his brother. Washington Cook was not considered to be a strong contender and withdrew from the race in September.

In 1944, Cook, now a resident of Haverhill, Massachusetts, won the Republican nomination for the Massachusetts Governor's Council seat in District 5. He lost the general election to Democrat Robert V. O'Sullivan. Washington Cook - 23,491 (54.48%) William W. Ollendorff - 19,627 (45.51%)

1924 general election for the Massachusetts Governor's Council, 2nd District Washington Cook (Republican) - 53,800 (39.08%) Otho L. Schofeld (Democratic) - 47,171 (34.26%) William W. Ollendorff (Independent) - 36,693 (26.65%)

1926 Republican primary for the Massachusetts Governor's Council, 2nd District Washington Cook - 13,717 (50.60%) Fred A. Turner - 8,279 (30.54%) S. Howard Donnell (write in) - 5,109 (18.84%)

1944 general election for the Massachusetts Governor's Council, 5th District Robert V. O'Sullivan - 108,483 (50.68%) Washington Cook - 105,550 (49.31%)

1948 Republican primary for the Massachusetts Governor's Council, 5th District Alfred C. Gaunt - 19,605 (58.80%) John M. Kelleher - 7,755 (23.26%) Washington Cook - 5,978 (17.93%)

Business career Cook dropped out of Somerville High School to work for the Gutta Percha Rubber Company. After 17 years with the company he was promoted to manager. He retired from the company after 48 years of service.

Later life On December 26, 1949, Cook was seriously injured when he was struck by a car. His injuries included a fractured right hip and severe lacerations to the face. It was the second time in three months that Cook had been struck by a car.

On December 12, 1954, the boarding house where Cook was residing was set on fire. Cook escaped, but four others died.

Cook died on October 12, 1955, in Haverhill.