Molly is from Houston, Texas. She earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Texas and a nursing degree and a master's degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University. 

Molly previously worked as an emergency room nurse. She also worked as an intern for Maryland Citizens Health Initiative and Horizon Foundation of Howard County, Maryland.

Molly Cook currently serves as a state senator in State Senate District 15. She was elected in 2024 and is serving her 1st term. She previously ran for state senator in State Senate District 15 in 2022 but did not win.

Candidate website

Supports developing renewable energy projects in Texas to boost local property tax bases and stimulate economic activity.

Supports investing in renewable energy projects statewide to grow local property tax bases and promote economic activity. 

Believes in curbing tax credits for corporate developers and reallocating funds to communities to expand access to safe, affordable housing.

Supports reducing tax credits for corporate developers and reallocating such funds to expand access to safe and affordable housing.

Wants to ensure urban centers in Texas have access to safe, reliable, convenient, and affordable public transportation.

Believes "Cars are the most-expensive, least-safe way to move around. " and wants to ensure all road users are protected and to prioritize accessibility for those with disabilities and those who  cannot afford cars.

- Supports investing in renewable energy projects statewide to grow local property tax bases and promote economic activity. 
- Supports reducing tax credits for corporate developers and reallocating such funds to expand access to safe and affordable housing.
- Opposes expanding I-45 .
- Wants to ensure urban centers in Texas have access to safe, reliable, convenient, and affordable public transportation.
- Believes "Cars are the most-expensive, least-safe way to move around. " and wants to ensure all road users are protected and to prioritize accessibility for those with disabilities and those who  cannot afford cars.

Economy

Supports legislation to enhance data privacy, prevent unauthorized data sales, and improve cyber security.

Supports legislation to improve data privacy and prevent unauthorized data sales.

Believes in gun control measures, including mandated background checks, a ban on person-to-person gun sales, raising  age to purchase an assault-style rifle from 18 to 21, safe storage laws, and the removal of guns for those determined as a risk to themselves or others by a judge. 

Plans to prioritize and allocate funding for community violence intervention programs.

- Supports legislation to improve data privacy and prevent unauthorized data sales.
- Supports jail diversion programs.
- Believes in gun control measures, including mandated background checks, a ban on person-to-person gun sales, raising  age to purchase an assault-style rifle from 18 to 21, safe storage laws, and the removal of guns for those determined as a risk to themselves or others by a judge. 
- Plans to prioritize and allocate funding for community violence intervention programs.

Public Safety

Supports Medicaid expansion and Medicare for All. 

- Supports abortion access. 
- Supports Medicaid expansion and Medicare for All. 

Healthcare

Opposes vouchers and further privatization of education.

Opposes school vouchers, which are programs that allow families to use public school funds to access schools beyond their local option, including private schools. 

Supports raising teacher and educational support staff's salaries

Wants to increase per-student funding and enrollment-based funding rather than attendance-based funding.

Wants to reduce dependance on State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) and standardized testing.

- Opposes school vouchers, which are programs that allow families to use public school funds to access schools beyond their local option, including private schools. 
- Supports raising teacher and educational support staff's salaries
- Wants to increase per-student funding and enrollment-based funding rather than attendance-based funding.
- Wants to reduce dependance on State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) and standardized testing.

Education

Supports regulating corporate pollution to ensure clean air, water, and soil for all communities, especially those near industrial sites.

Supports regulating corporate pollution. 

Endorses Texas State Proposition 6, which creates the Texas Water Fund to improve water infrastructure.

Supports Texas State Proposition 6, which creates the Texas Water Fund to develop water infrastructure improvement projects. 

Supports the use of renewable energy, believing it is "cleaner, cheaper, and far less resource intensive than more traditional fossil fuel generation."

Supports increasing the use of renewable energy and wants to diversify energy sources. 

- Supports regulating corporate pollution. 
- Supports Texas State Proposition 6, which creates the Texas Water Fund to develop water infrastructure improvement projects. 
- Supports increasing the use of renewable energy and wants to diversify energy sources. 

Energy & the Environment

Supports digital voter registration and a 24-hour and drive through voting wherever necessary.

- Supports digital voter registration and a 24-hour and drive through voting wherever necessary.

Voting & Elections

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Molly Cook

Molly Cook currently serves Texas State Senator for Texas Senate District 15. She was elected in 2024, and is serving her 1st term. Molly previously ran for Texas Senate District 15 in 2022 but did not win.

Believes the economy is "emotionally difficult, expensive, and difficult to access."

Believes that "all Texans should be able to consider every option regardless of their income or neighborhood."

The candidate's website does not provide any information on their economic policies.

Believes access to affordable, reliable power is a "critical public health and safety issue," as demonstrated by Winter Storm Uri.

Supports policies that address housing, transportation, and economic development.

Supports advanced, long-term planning for new transmission infrastructure to connect new energy sources to the grid.

Believes in not "taking a single thing for granted" regarding economic policies and decisions.

Believes the SD 15 primary runoff will be competitive after a "sleepy special election," indicating a belief in the potential for increased voter engagement and competition in the upcoming election.

Advocates for improved mobility solutions in the Houston region.

Believes housing, transportation, and the vibrancy of Texas cities are interconnected.

Believes cars are "the most-expensive, least-safe way to move around."

Supports lifting barriers and prohibitions from SB1.

Supports investments into renewable energy. 

Believes in reducing tax credits for corporate developers and reallocating funds to expand access to safe, affordable housing.

Supports investments in public transportation.

- Supports investments into renewable energy. 
- Believes in reducing tax credits for corporate developers and reallocating funds to expand access to safe, affordable housing.
- Opposes expansion of I-45 .
- Supports investments in public transportation.

Believes public safety measures should be effective and prevent unnecessary incidents.

Believes "bad policy" leads to deaths, and supports reevaluating policies to improve public safety.

Supports the election of LGBTQ+ candidates, saying "Texas voters elect first LGBTQ+ state senator — Who is Molly Cook? — Molly Cook for Texas Senate"

Supports ensuring that it is easy for anyone who is legally permitted to vote.

Promises to continue advocating for a Texas that "takes care of everyone."

Opposes the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) I-45 expansion project.

Believes public safety is crucial and supports measures to address crime and improve community safety.

Believes in the need for change in public safety policies.

Promises to use their skills, courage, and faith in communities to enhance public safety and save lives.

Supports decriminalizing and legalizing cannabis use.

Supports legislation to increase data privacy and  prevent unauthorized data sales.

Believes in gun control including mandated background checks and ban person-to-person gun sales.

- Supports legislation to increase data privacy and  prevent unauthorized data sales.
- Supports jail diversion programs.
- Believes in gun control including mandated background checks and ban person-to-person gun sales.

Supports advocating for laws that provide healthcare, housing, and community connections for seniors.

Believes in addressing chronic illnesses to improve quality of life, employment, wealth, and longevity.

Believes experienced nurses can train young nurses.

Believes abortions should be covered by insurance.

Believes that under current laws, "wealthier Texans and white Texans are the only people with access to safe abortions, and even then, they only get access if they leave the state."

Believes all Texans deserve a candidate who will advocate for legislation to enhance their quality of life.

Believes the Texas Medical Center struggled to provide care during the freeze, saying, "The ER was more crowded during the freeze than it was during Hurricane Harvey."

Believes abortion is a personal decision and supports access to safe abortions for all Texans, regardless of income or location.

Supports access to abortion and intends to advocate for "common sense healthcare policies" in Texas.

Supports Medicaid expansion and Medicare for All

- Supports access to abortion.
- Supports Medicaid expansion and Medicare for All

Supports investing in public education and teachers.

Believes neighbors across the district who have been excluded from the democratic process are feeling "apathy and frustration."

Opposes the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) planned widening of I-45.

Believes in the importance of community organizing.

Believes every child should have access to excellent schools regardless of parental income or neighborhood.

Believes free, high-quality public education is essential for a healthy democratic society.

Believes Senate District 15’s diverse neighborhoods require an attentive State Senator to address their specific needs.

Supports the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education.

Believes voters should consider work styles when electing officials.

Believes in building a volunteer base for change in District 15 and all of Texas.

- Opposes vouchers and further privatization of education.
- Supports raising teacher and educational support staff's salaries

Supports updates to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ’s) agency rules, including considering cumulative impacts for site placement of new polluting facilities.

Supports mandating Health Impact Assessments for all projects qualifying for environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Supports enforcing federal air quality standards.

Believes in community support, highlighting her election team's efforts in water distribution and tree removal.

Supports fixing "critical infrastructure" to ensure reliable energy, healthcare, and transportation.

Supports planning for energy transition infrastructure.

Supports using Texas’s wind and solar energy to provide low-cost energy to both large-scale and individual consumers.

Supports encouraging new investment and resource competition in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) without discriminating against renewable energy resources.

Believes the energy is available to meet current needs.

Opposes the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) I-45 expansion project due to its negative impact on the environment and community displacement.

Supports expanding renewable energy production and transmission, believing it will provide environmental and long-term economic benefits to all consumers, regardless of political affiliation.

Supports Medicaid expansion and "environmental justice to protect and celebrate our precious elders."

Supports Texas State Proposition 6, which creates the Texas Water Fund to improve water infrastructure.

Supports increasing the use of renewable energy

- Supports regulating corporate pollution
- Supports Texas State Proposition 6, which creates the Texas Water Fund to improve water infrastructure.
- Supports increasing the use of renewable energy

Supports abortion rights, gun safety, and protecting public education.

Supports voting rights and fair elections.

Believes in gaining name recognition through challenging established candidates, as demonstrated by her 2022 Democratic primary run for Senate District 15.

Believes in the importance of community impact and local representation, and supports voting rights and fair elections.

Believes the winner of the Democratic primary runoff will be the heavy favorite in the general election, as no Republican has won SD 15 in over 50 years.

Believes Cook’s victory in the special election will count towards her seniority in the Senate if she wins the primary runoff and general elections, ensuring SD 15 representation in the Senate if Governor Greg Abbott summons the Legislature for a special session this year.

Believes in protecting voting rights and ensuring fair elections.

Believes in organizing Senate District 15 to achieve the highest Democratic turnout and support candidates across the ballot.

Believes in transparency and accuracy in public polling for elections.

Believes "Republican attacks on voting rights and the integrity of election results are placing democracy itself at risk."

Believes it is an honor to serve as State Senator for District 15.

Believes in the importance of being "forward-thinking" and having a fresh perspective.

Believes incremental and revolutionary change can coexist.

Said, "They also may be a little set in their ways and tend to cut some corners over time."

Supports increasing voter rights including expanding online voter registration and 24-hour drive through voting.

- Supports increasing voter rights including expanding online voter registration and 24-hour drive through voting.

Molly Cook is a born-and-raised Texan with a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas and a master's degree in public health policy from Johns Hopkins University. None.

Molly Cook is an emergency room nurse with a master's degree in public health policy from Johns Hopkins University. She has also worked in home-health nursing.

Molly Cook is currently serving as a State Senator for Texas Senate District 15 after winning a special election. She previously ran for the same Senate seat in 2022 but did not win.

- Your state senator represents the interests of your district in the Texas State Senate. The State Senate, along with the State House of Representatives, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Texas Legislature.
- Your state senator can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws after going through the legislative process.
- There are 31 Texas state senators, each representing a single district with a constituency of around 1 million.
- State senators are elected to 4-year terms and one 2-year term per decade, and there are no term limits.
- They are paid a salary of $7,200/year and a per diem of $221/day.