Cook Most Likely To Show Up For Democracy In SD 15 Race-Hold Her to Her Pledge

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The Democratic Primary runoff for the Texas Senate District 15 full term is May 28. (Early voting is May 20-24.) The top two finishers in the March 5 primary were State Rep. Jarvis Johnson and now Senator-elect Molly Cook.

(Above is a picture of the two candidates at a recent debate.)  

Ms. Cook won the May 4th race to complete the remainder of now-Mayor John Whitmire's term.

I'm voting for Senator-elect Cook.  

I know Ms. Cook. I had a paid role in her 2022 primary loss to Senator Whitmire. I did writing, some strategy and voter outreach. Molly got a strong 42% of the vote and I was glad to be associated with the effort.         

In this cycle, I've kept my distance from Senator-elect Cook. I get the idea of where she is going from. We don't need relationships with candidates and elected officials as much as we simply need them to do what they say. I've seen no reason so far not to trust her & she is closer to where I stand on issues than is Rep. Johnson. 

If I thought Rep. Johnson would be the better and more forceful advocate for democracy, I'd vote for him. I don't think that. Rep. Johnson in his years in office has been content with low turnout and business as usual. He accepted the endorsement of the Houston Police Officers Union despite the fact the union endorses election deniers.      

I don't believe Rep. Johnson will show up for the full Harris County Democratic slate in 2024. It is difficult to see him on the streets and on the right side of a police line if Republicans refuse to accept election results, or toss out votes of Harris County Democrats to flip the outcome of an election.

The central reason to vote for Ms. Cook is in the paragraph below as reported by the Houston Chronicle.  
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From the Chronicle: 

“When we win again on the 28th, I will organize Senate District 15 to be the highest Democratic turnout district in the state and fight for our candidates up and down the ballot,” Cook said in a press release after declaring victory Saturday night. “I have the skills, courage and faith in our communities, and I am ready to save lives.”

We must hold Senator-elect Cook to the above pledge. Running for office at this point means the willingness to show up for democracy and to be willing to take political, career, and if need be, physical risks to protect democracy. Campaigns don't leave behind meaningful structures of voter turnout and community. If Senator-elect Cook wins on May 28 she becomes our elected employee for the full term. That is the relationship most productive between citizens and elected officials.      

I'll be assisting Ms. Cook by taking two three-hour shifts handing out the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus endorsement card. I took three of those shifts leading up to the March 5 primary. Senator-elect Cook is endorsed by the Caucus.       

Please sign the Houston Democracy Project petition to make the pledge to show up for freedom in 2024 no matter what.

The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County.  

Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected]

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