“I think it’s really important to keep in mind that incremental change and revolutionary change are not mutually exclusive.”
Advocate: Texas's first LGBTQ+ state senator, Molly Cook, wins primary for full term
Molly Cook, the first out member of the LGBTQ+ community to be a Texas state senator, has won her primary runoff, poising her for a full Senate term.
Cook, who is bisexual, won a special election May 4 in Senate District 15 to fill the remainder of Sen. John Whitmire’s term after he resigned to become mayor of Houston. That goes until the end of the year. But to win the Democratic nomination for a full term, she had to run against Jarvis Johnson, currently a state representative. She and Johnson were the top two finishers in the March 5 Democratic primary in District 15, but no candidate won a majority, leading to the runoff.
Now she’s won the runoff, held Tuesday, and is favored to win in November against Republican Joseph L. Trahan, as the Houston district is heavily Democratic and has a large LGBTQ+ population; it includes the gayborhood of Montrose. With most of the vote counted, Cook was leading Johnson by 50.2 percent to 49.8 percent. Senators are elected for four-year terms and are not subject to term limits.
After her win in the special election but before the primary runoff, Cook had posted on Facebook, “Our team is not missing a beat or taking anything for granted. I am grateful to live my life in service to the health and safety of my neighbors.”
Cook is an emergency room nurse and a veteran community organizer. At 32, she is the youngest current senator, and she is the only Democratic medical professional in the Senate. She has vowed to work for LGBTQ+ rights, abortion rights, and improvements to health care, public transportation, and public education. She has spoken about having had an abortion in Texas in 2014 — eight years before the fall ofRoe v. Wade allowed the state to enact one of the most restrictive anti-abortion laws in the nation.
In an interview with The Advocate before the runoff, she said it’s possible for progressive legislators to make change even in deeply conservative Texas. “I think it’s really important to keep in mind that incremental change and revolutionary change are not mutually exclusive,” she said, promising to work for both.
In a Wednesday press release after her runoff win, she said, “Today, we get to celebrate our fantastic, well-deserved, historic win. Winning a Texas Senate seat is a big deal, and it tastes extra sweet because it is born of sheer grit, determination, and teamwork. We have organized for years, stayed true to our values, and built momentum that extends beyond this election. Thank you to the team, voters, volunteers, and donors. Let’s take a moment to root ourselves in gratitude and bask in our community, and let’s get to work.”
“I think it’s really important to keep in mind that incremental change and revolutionary change are not mutually exclusive.”
Advocate: Molly Cook, Texas's first out LGBTQ+ state senator, is ready to make change (exclusive)
In a hectic period of both campaigning and getting ready to govern, Cook radiates energy and enthusiasm. She points to her experience as an emergency room nurse and community organizer as reasons voters should support her.
“I bring nursing leadership, and at a time when we need trust in our elected officials more than ever, I think that’s going to be really powerful for the people of Texas … just a trusted, credible voice coming from a nurse to work on all of these policies, but especially the ones that impact our health,” she says.
“I bring grassroots organizing,” she continues. “I have quite a CV at this point of successful organizing work. … I truly believe grassroots organizing is missing from the majority of the fights Democrats care about in Texas.”
“I also bring the experience of being a woman in Texas who’s had an abortion,” Cook adds; she had the procedure in 2014. But the end of Roe v. Wade in 2022 allowed states to ban or severely limit abortion, and Texas now has one of the most restrictive laws of any state. “And I’m telling my story, and it’s very important to share that, and I see how powerfully it resonates with people,” Cook says. “And that’s a perspective that not a lot of people in that chamber are going to have, and I know what’s at stake and how important it is to get those rights back.”
Molly Cook has made history as the first out LGBTQ+ state senator in Texas
Advocate: Texas voters make history electing first LGBTQ+ state senator
Molly Cook has made history as the first out LGBTQ+ state senator in Texas following her victory in a special election to replace John Whitmire, who resigned to become the mayor of Houston. An emergency room nurse, Cook won the election with 57 percent of the votes, defeating Democratic State Rep. Jarvis Johnson, who collected 43 percent, TheTexas Tribune reports.
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According to the Houston Chronicle, Cook’s campaign strategy involved intensive voter engagement and was marked by solid fundraising efforts, particularly after the March primary, when she finished second to Johnson. Cook emphasized her deep roots in community service and her professional experience dealing with public health crises, which she argued brought a critical perspective to the legislative process.
Both candidates advocate for progressive platforms, supporting abortion rights, LGBTQ+ protections, and increased funding for public schools. However, Cook has positioned herself slightly to the left of Johnson, particularly highlighting her stance on local issues and her grassroots campaign approach.
Cook’s victory is not just a win for her legislative agenda but a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in Texas. Her election, as the first out LGBTQ+ member of the Texas Senate, marks a turning point in the state.