Ted Cooke
Republican | Washington
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Ted Cooke
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 47 - Pos. 2
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Beacon University, Columbus, GA, Bachelor of Theology, 2000
WORK & MILITARY
Microsoft (Vendor), Senior Software Tester, 9
AFFILIATIONS
Timberlane Homeowners Association, Covington, WA, Director, PAL (African education non-profit)
Director, Generational Hope Church, Maple Valley, WA, Multiple Leadership Positions
Vine Maple Place Women's Shelter, Volunteer, Union Gospel Mission
Volunteer, Maple Valley Food Bank, Volunteer
WSU Intramural Sports, Women's Football Coach
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Elected PCO (COV 47-3244, COV 47-1127, 2009-Present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
WA State Representative 47th District Position 2, 2018
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (3)
*Family Freedom Coalition of Washington
Family Policy Institute of Washington Action
Human Life of Washington PAC
LIBERAL (1)
*Log Cabin Republicans of Washington
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.
Strongly Agree
I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
None. In some circumstances the child may have to be moved, such as the tragic case of ectopic pregnancy, but we should always try to save the life of the child if possible.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
None. In some circumstances the child may have to be moved, such as the tragic case of ectopic pregnancy, but we should always try to save the life of the child if possible.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I think we should start by putting ST3 on hold, ending most of the legislative private-public commissions, and making compensation for future state employees fall in line with compensation in the private sector.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I think we should start by putting ST3 on hold, ending most of the legislative private-public commissions, and making compensation for future state employees fall in line with compensation in the private sector.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Agree
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Government should have no official religious denomination or sect. At the time of the adoption of the U.S. Constitution almost every nation on earth had an official religious denomination, such as the Anglican Church of England. When the Danbury Baptist Church was concerned that Presbyterianism would become the official religious denomination (Scottish Presbyters having been influential on the Founders), Thomas Jefferson assured them that would not happen because the First Amendment had erected a "wall of separation between Church & State", and he went on to say in an edit, "I have refrained from prescribing even those occasional performances of devotion, practiced indeed by the Executive of another nation as the legal head of its church". Ironically the nonsensical modern doctrine of "separation of church and state" has done the opposite of the 1st Amendment's intention and for all practical purposes given us Atheism / secular modern Humanism as the official religion of government.
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Government should have no official religious denomination or sect. At the time of the adoption of the U.S. Constitution almost every nation on earth had an official religious denomination, such as the Anglican Church of England. When the Danbury Baptist Church was concerned that Presbyterianism would become the official religious denomination (Scottish Presbyters having been influential on the Founders), Thomas Jefferson assured them that would not happen because the First Amendment had erected a "wall of separation between Church & State", and he went on to say in an edit, "I have refrained from prescribing even those occasional performances of devotion, practiced indeed by the Executive of another nation as the legal head of its church". Ironically the nonsensical modern doctrine of "separation of church and state" has done the opposite of the 1st Amendment's intention and for all practical purposes given us Atheism / secular modern Humanism as the official religion of government.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I support free market solutions for healthcare including cross state insurance sales, cross border drug sales which adhere to competition law, allowing patients to know both the standard prices and insurance negotiated prices for care, right to work for healthcare workers, and untying of insurance from employment.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I support free market solutions for healthcare including cross state insurance sales, cross border drug sales which adhere to competition law, allowing patients to know both the standard prices and insurance negotiated prices for care, right to work for healthcare workers, and untying of insurance from employment.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Agree
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Agree
IMMIGRATION
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Agree
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Agree
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Agree
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
The 14th Amendment has effectively made immigration a Federal issue rather than a State one. I believe people should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. in cases of asylum or when they have applied and followed the legal steps for immigration. I believe immigration should be capped at no more than a quarter of a million people per year so they can be assimilated to American culture, applications should be given equal consideration regardless of country of origin and that merit and family connections should play some role in consideration but not be an automatic deciding factor.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
The 14th Amendment has effectively made immigration a Federal issue rather than a State one. I believe people should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. in cases of asylum or when they have applied and followed the legal steps for immigration. I believe immigration should be capped at no more than a quarter of a million people per year so they can be assimilated to American culture, applications should be given equal consideration regardless of country of origin and that merit and family connections should play some role in consideration but not be an automatic deciding factor.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I received Jesus Christ as my Savior at the age of 16 and believe in the tenets of the Apostles' Creed. My values are Freedom, Faith, Family, Sanctity and Dignity of Human Life, American Exceptionalism, The Founders' Wisdom and Vision, Lower Taxes, Limited Government, Peace Through Strength, Anti-Communism, and Belief in the Individual.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I received Jesus Christ as my Savior at the age of 16 and believe in the tenets of the Apostles' Creed. My values are Freedom, Faith, Family, Sanctity and Dignity of Human Life, American Exceptionalism, The Founders' Wisdom and Vision, Lower Taxes, Limited Government, Peace Through Strength, Anti-Communism, and Belief in the Individual.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
The statements on my campaign issues page - https://tedcooke.org/issues/
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
The statements on my campaign issues page - https://tedcooke.org/issues/
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
As a senior software tester and lab manager I've had to constantly and quickly learn new ad-hoc systems and processes, master them, analyze them and streamline them. At the same time I've been responsible for lab space and minimizing costs while maximizing output. In 2010 I was part of a group of concerned citizens who overturned the entire leadership of our HOA, an almost unheard of occurrence. Throughout the process I was the “go to” team member for information on organization regulations, State law and Robert’s Rules of Order, which I familiarized myself with in just a few short weeks. I want to bring these same skills to bear to heal our State from over-taxation and over-regulation.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
As a senior software tester and lab manager I've had to constantly and quickly learn new ad-hoc systems and processes, master them, analyze them and streamline them. At the same time I've been responsible for lab space and minimizing costs while maximizing output. In 2010 I was part of a group of concerned citizens who overturned the entire leadership of our HOA, an almost unheard of occurrence. Throughout the process I was the “go to” team member for information on organization regulations, State law and Robert’s Rules of Order, which I familiarized myself with in just a few short weeks. I want to bring these same skills to bear to heal our State from over-taxation and over-regulation.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
Our legislature now requires sex ed for five year olds, increased freeway tolling without better roads, allows men in women’s locker rooms and has almost doubled our tax burden in the last decade. It will never stop without changing leadership. I'm excited about rolling back these intrusive changes and returning the freedom of life decisions to you and your family.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
Our legislature now requires sex ed for five year olds, increased freeway tolling without better roads, allows men in women’s locker rooms and has almost doubled our tax burden in the last decade. It will never stop without changing leadership. I'm excited about rolling back these intrusive changes and returning the freedom of life decisions to you and your family.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Agree
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The Second Amendment says, "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." While citizens are free from incarceration or institutionalization they should retain this right for self defense.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The Second Amendment says, "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." While citizens are free from incarceration or institutionalization they should retain this right for self defense.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Neutral
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Neutral
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1. Write the bills act - All legislation considered by the State legislature must have been written from start to finish by a currently sitting State House or Senate member during their term in office, as part of their duties in office, not as a member of an external group. This would also apply to reintroducing bills from previous sessions. 2. Read the bills act - All legislation must be submitted with it's complete intended final title and body fully in place, and must be posted publicly for at least seven days prior to consideration, plus one additional day for every ten pages that the bill is in excess of ten pages, assuming standard font and format. 3. No emergency health powers without due process act - Clarification that no State official could trace, test, quarantine or vaccinate any individual without a specific warrant issued by a judge for that individual and due process adhering to the U.S Constitution's 4th through 8th Amendments.
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1. Write the bills act - All legislation considered by the State legislature must have been written from start to finish by a currently sitting State House or Senate member during their term in office, as part of their duties in office, not as a member of an external group. This would also apply to reintroducing bills from previous sessions. 2. Read the bills act - All legislation must be submitted with it's complete intended final title and body fully in place, and must be posted publicly for at least seven days prior to consideration, plus one additional day for every ten pages that the bill is in excess of ten pages, assuming standard font and format. 3. No emergency health powers without due process act - Clarification that no State official could trace, test, quarantine or vaccinate any individual without a specific warrant issued by a judge for that individual and due process adhering to the U.S Constitution's 4th through 8th Amendments.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes, racism is a threat to domestic security in that it is a motivation for crime. I think it is important to define racism as being belief that individuals can or should be classified according to some arbitrary racial conception, and subsequent hatred or differential treatment of individuals based on that belief.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes, racism is a threat to domestic security in that it is a motivation for crime. I think it is important to define racism as being belief that individuals can or should be classified according to some arbitrary racial conception, and subsequent hatred or differential treatment of individuals based on that belief.
