W&L alum runs for U.S. House on unique platform
Alex Weintz
Issue date: 10/26/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 2 next >
A recent W&L alumnus and former student body president announced his bid for the U.S. House of Representatives last month. Jeff Cook '01 is trying to win a primary election against incumbent
Cook must defeat Sue Kelly of New York's 19th Congressional District in the primary to enter the general election as the Republican nominee.
The primary is certain to attract national attention. Kelly is a (rare) vulnerable incumbent, and Cook has one of the most unique profiles in politics. Cook's age, 26, and his willingness to assault the Republican establishment make him an intriguing candidate. His status as an openly gay man should attract even more interest.
Cook came to W&L in 1997 as an evangelical Christian struggling with his sexuality. That year, the Princeton Review rated the university third in the "Alternative Lifestyles Not an Alternative" category, a reference to its inhospitable stance towards homosexuality.
After an initial struggle to accept his own sexual identity, Cook "came to grips with who [he] was" and soon, he says, became "the first openly gay student at W&L."
Despite some negative feedback from a few students, particularly in his fraternity, Cook was elected the youngest Executive Committee president in school history. During his tenure as president he lobbied successfully to add sexual orientation to the school's non-discrimination policy. He also redistributed power away from the E.C. president and into the hands of other committee members, a process which he said was particularly important for making honor violation investigations and trials more fair.
Cook said two professors also had a profound influence on him--William Connelly and Robert McAhren. Cook described Connelly as his mentor and said his knowledge of the inner workings of Capitol Hill have helped him immeasurably.
Cook credited McAhren with "possessing the courage" to establish the first gay and lesbian group on campus, as well as teaching the first class on gay and lesbian history.
Cook must defeat Sue Kelly of New York's 19th Congressional District in the primary to enter the general election as the Republican nominee.
The primary is certain to attract national attention. Kelly is a (rare) vulnerable incumbent, and Cook has one of the most unique profiles in politics. Cook's age, 26, and his willingness to assault the Republican establishment make him an intriguing candidate. His status as an openly gay man should attract even more interest.
Cook came to W&L in 1997 as an evangelical Christian struggling with his sexuality. That year, the Princeton Review rated the university third in the "Alternative Lifestyles Not an Alternative" category, a reference to its inhospitable stance towards homosexuality.
After an initial struggle to accept his own sexual identity, Cook "came to grips with who [he] was" and soon, he says, became "the first openly gay student at W&L."
Despite some negative feedback from a few students, particularly in his fraternity, Cook was elected the youngest Executive Committee president in school history. During his tenure as president he lobbied successfully to add sexual orientation to the school's non-discrimination policy. He also redistributed power away from the E.C. president and into the hands of other committee members, a process which he said was particularly important for making honor violation investigations and trials more fair.
Cook said two professors also had a profound influence on him--William Connelly and Robert McAhren. Cook described Connelly as his mentor and said his knowledge of the inner workings of Capitol Hill have helped him immeasurably.
Cook credited McAhren with "possessing the courage" to establish the first gay and lesbian group on campus, as well as teaching the first class on gay and lesbian history.