Molly Cook

Cook was born in Houston, Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Austin as well as a Master of Public Health and Master's of Science in Nursing from Johns Hopkins University.

Cook first ran for the Texas Senate against Whitmire in the Democratic primary election in 2022, positioning herself as a more progressive option. She lost with 42% of the vote in the primary, Whitmire's closest margin since the early 1990s.

Cook ran again in 2024, both in the general election for the term beginning January 14, 2025, and in the special election to fill the vacancy caused by Whitmire's election to serve as Mayor of Houston. On March 5, 2024, she advanced from the Democratic primary to a runoff with State Representative Jarvis Johnson. She then won the May 4 special election to fill the remainder of Whitmire's unexpired term. On May 28, she went on to narrowly win the Democratic primary runoff to advance to the general election, where she defeated Republican candidate Joseph L. Trahan with 62% of the vote.

Cook supports abortion, saying, “In 2014, I had an abortion. Abortion is a medical procedure and a personal choice. Our Legislature’s role is to make sure abortions are safe, accessible and stigma-free for every Texan".

She is openly bisexual.