Bekki Cook
Encyclopedia
Rebecca McDowell Cook (July 18, 1950) is a politician
from Missouri
, USA. She served as Missouri Secretary of State from December 1994 to January 2001.
Cook was raised near Jackson, Missouri
, and attended public schools. She graduated from the University of Missouri
in 1972 with a degree in political science
. She received her law degree from the University of Missouri in 1975 and practiced law in Cape Girardeau
.
While working in private law practice, Cook was appointed to the Missouri State Board of Education by Governor John Ashcroft
. She was subsequently re-appointed by Governor Mel Carnahan
. In December 1994, Carnahan appointed Cook as Missouri's Secretary of State. Cook succeeded Judi Moriarty who had been impeached and removed from office following a scandal.
In 1996, Cook was elected to a full term as Secretary of State. She chose not to seek re-election in 2000. In 2004, Cook ran for Lieutenant Governor
and won a contested primary to become the Democratic nominee. However, she was defeated by less than 1% of the vote in the general election by Republican Peter Kinder
who is also from Cape Girardeau County, Missouri
.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, USA. She served as Missouri Secretary of State from December 1994 to January 2001.
Cook was raised near Jackson, Missouri
Jackson, Missouri
Jackson is a city in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, United States. The population was 13,758 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Cape Girardeau County. Jackson is named for U.S. President Andrew Jackson. It is a principal city of the Cape Girardeau–Jackson, MO-IL Metropolitan...
, and attended public schools. She graduated from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
in 1972 with a degree in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
. She received her law degree from the University of Missouri in 1975 and practiced law in Cape Girardeau
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Cape Girardeau is a city located in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties in Southeast Missouri in the United States. It is located approximately southeast of St. Louis and north of Memphis. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 37,941. A college town, it is the home of Southeast Missouri...
.
While working in private law practice, Cook was appointed to the Missouri State Board of Education by Governor John Ashcroft
John Ashcroft
John David Ashcroft is a United States politician who served as the 79th United States Attorney General, from 2001 until 2005, appointed by President George W. Bush. Ashcroft previously served as the 50th Governor of Missouri and a U.S...
. She was subsequently re-appointed by Governor Mel Carnahan
Mel Carnahan
Melvin Eugene "Mel" Carnahan was an American politician. A Democrat, he served as the 51st Governor of Missouri from 1993 to 2000. He died in a plane crash on the Pevely and Hillsboro, Missouri border during a campaign for the U.S...
. In December 1994, Carnahan appointed Cook as Missouri's Secretary of State. Cook succeeded Judi Moriarty who had been impeached and removed from office following a scandal.
In 1996, Cook was elected to a full term as Secretary of State. She chose not to seek re-election in 2000. In 2004, Cook ran for Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
and won a contested primary to become the Democratic nominee. However, she was defeated by less than 1% of the vote in the general election by Republican Peter Kinder
Peter Kinder
Peter D. Kinder is an American politician from the U.S. state of Missouri. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Missouri in 2004 as Matt Blunt was elected Governor. Kinder was reelected in 2008 at the same time Jay Nixon was elected Governor. Kinder is a member of the Republican Party...
who is also from Cape Girardeau County, Missouri
Cape Girardeau County, Missouri
Cape Girardeau County is a county located in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 75,764. While the largest city in the county is Cape Girardeau, the county seat is actually Jackson, which was the first city named in honor of President...
.