John Cook (Texas politician)
John Cook | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Mayor of El Paso | |
| In office June 13, 2005 – June 24, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Joe Wardy |
| Succeeded by | Oscar Leeser |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 27, 1946 Brooklyn, New York |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Tram Cook |
| Profession | Businessman City Councilman |
John F. Cook (born February 27, 1946) is an American teacher, businessman, veteran, civic leader, and member of the Paso Del Norte Group. Cook was the mayor of El Paso, Texas from 2005 to 2013. In 2005, he unseated the incumbent Joe Wardy, and he was reelected to a second four-year term in 2009.[1] Because of the city charter's term limits clause Cook was ineligible for a third term in 2013.[2]
A native of the Brooklyn borough of New York City, Cook graduated in 1964 from Immaculata High School in Manhattan. He attended the University of Texas at El Paso, from which he earned a degree in business in 1977. In 1970, Cook married his wife, Tram Cook, with whom he has six children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He has lived for most of his life in northeast El Paso, where his family has owned and operated several businesses. He served in the United States Army from 1967 to 1970, seeing service as a special agent in military intelligence. He served as the City Council Representative of the 4th District of El Paso from 1999 to June 2005, prior to his election as mayor. He has been deeply involved in El Paso's community affairs, as a businessman, teacher, coach, founder, and board member of many civic and veterans' organizations.
Since becoming mayor of El Paso, Cook oversaw the adoption of the Paso Del Norte Group's downtown redevelopment plan.
On January 22, 2009, his 88-year-old mother died after a long battle with leukemia.
The mayor and two city representatives were the subject of a failed recall petition in 2012. The petitions were accepted by the City Clerk, affirmed by Judge Alvarez, but overturned by the Eight Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals declared the petitions illegal. Cook claims he has spent over $600,000 on attorney fees to stop the recall.[3]
Cook was one of twenty-five nominees in 2012 for the world-wide City Mayors Foundation prize, given to the "best mayor in the world".[4]
Then Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, now the governor of Texas, wrote an opinion that cities, schools and counties in Texas, such as the city of El Paso broke the law in offering domestic benefits to same-sex partners.[5] John Cook's tie-breaking vote to restore the domestic health benefits, after voters overturned it, was a chief cause of the failed recall attempt.
In 2014, Cook was the Democratic nominee for Texas Land Commissioner.[6] He was defeated by Republican George P. Bush, son of Jeb Bush.
Cook is in 2016 the executive director of the U.S.-Mexico Border Mayors Association.[7]
See also
References
- ^ http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_12336439
- ^ http://www.elpasotexas.gov/government.asp
- ^ http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_18499321?source=most_emailed
- ^ http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_20883916/el-paso-mayor-john-cook-makes-short-list-world-mayor-prize
- ^ https://www.oag.state.tx.us/opinions/opinions/50abbott/op/2013/pdf/ga1003.pdf
- ^ "Candidate Filing Roundup; Sen. Wendy Davis and General Greg Abbott to Face Primary Challengers". Burnt Orange Report. November 10, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
- ^ "Arizona mayor refuses invite written in English and Spanish". Laredo Morning Times. August 12, 2016.
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