Byron Cook (Texas politician)

Byron Curtis Cook
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 8th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
2003
Personal details
Born April 8, 1954
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Kay Lilly Cook
Children Two daughters/Two grandchildren
Residence Corsicana, Navarro County
Texas
Alma mater Navarro College
Occupation Rancher; Businessman
Religion Baptist
Website https://www.facebook.com/byroncookcampaign

Byron Cook is a Texas businessman, rancher, and Republican State Representative for the counties of Anderson, Freestone, Hill and Navarro.

Family Background

Byron and his brothers moved with their parents from Abilene to Corsicana in 1967. He graduated from local public schools and holds an Associate’s Degree from Navarro College. Today, Cook and his wife, Kay, live in Corsicana and have two daughters and two grandchildren. Their youngest daughter attends Texas A&M University. Their oldest daughter is a graduate of Texas A&M University and is married to a veteran of the United States Army who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Business and Ranching Background

Byron’s father, the late Leland P. Cook, was the former circulation manager for the Corsiciana Daily Sun. Leland left the newspaper to start a family business. Later, he and Cook founded Tradewest, a now-defunct video game company and licensee of several of Nintendo’s most popular video games such as Double Dragon, Battletoads, and Super Off Road. Today, Cook continues an interest in diversified businesses and in ranching.

Service in the Texas House of Representatives

Cook is a six-term Republican State Representative. He currently serves as Chairman of the Texas House State Affairs Committee and as a member of the Texas House Calendars Committee. He is also a member of the Texas House Republican Caucus and Texas Conservative Coalition. Cook has also served in past legislative sessions as Chairman of the Texas House Committees on Civil Practices and the Committee on Environmental Regulation; and as a member of the Texas Sunset Commission.

Policy and Leadership Recognition

Cook is recognized for his commitments to cutting taxes, protecting traditional family values, supporting rural communities, and reducing the size of government.

Cook is a recipient of numerous legislative leadership awards including the 2014 "True Texas Hero Award" from Texas Comptroller Susan Combs for authoring and passing legislation to help the state collect over half a billion dollars in previously unpaid alcohol and tobacco tax revenue. Some of Cook's other leadership awards include a Patient Advocacy Award by the Texas Medical Association and a Rural Government Advocacy award by the Texas Municipal League. In 2007, Cook was named by Texas Monthly magazine as one of the “Top Ten” legislators in Texas. In 2010, Cook was also recognized for his leadership on behalf of the Republican Party of Texas with its “Texas House Debt-Busters” program. Prior to serving in the legislature, Cook served as President of his local Rotary Club and was a co-recipient of the Corsicana Chamber of Commerce Arthur J. Keeney Community Service Award.

Supporters

Organizations supporting Cook in his past elections have included the Texas Farm Bureau, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers, NRA, Texas State Rifle Association, Texas Alliance for Life, Texas Association of Business, Texans for Lawsuit Reform, Texas Medical Association, Texas Association of Realtors, Texas Public Employees Association, Texas Civil Justice League, Texas State Teachers Association, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, Rural Friends of Electric Cooperatives, Texas Association of Builders, Texans for Lawsuit Reform, Texas State Association of Fire Fighters, and many other groups, representing the working families of Texas House District 8.

References

    Texas House of Representatives title=Texas State Representative from District 8 ( Anderson, Freestone, Hill and Navarro counties)

    Byron Curtis Cook

    		 years=2003– after=Incumbent