Taylor Cook

Taylor Cook (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Alabama House of Representatives to represent District 43. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. The Democratic primary for this office on May 19, 2026, was canceled.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and grew up in Geneva, Alabama, a small Wiregrass town built on hard work, family, and community. As I entered the world, I watched the Republican Party dive headfirst into cruelty and authoritarianism while much of the Democratic establishment abandoned working class people to give in to corporate interests. Regular Alabamians have been left behind by both.

My path hasn’t been traditional. I attended Auburn, graduated from Highlands College in 2019, and have worked full-time ever since while continuing my education online. I've worked in auto shops, warehouses, retail management, a law firm, and general aviation. Like so many Alabamians, I’ve lived the reality of rising costs, stagnant wages, and leaders who don’t live in the world their policies create.

I’m finishing my Political Science degree online through Colorado State University while working full-time. I believe Alabama needs younger leaders who understand working class life.

As your representative, I’ll fight to expand healthcare and education, empower workers and unions, raise wages, strengthen democracy, protect privacy, legalize and regulate marijuana, protect our natural resources, eliminate property taxes for homeowners, and defend renters from corporate abuse.

My wife Savannah and I live in District 43 with our two dachshunds, Ginger and Leisl. I’m running because Alabama deserves better — leadership that listens and fights for everyday people.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Affordability

For too long, Alabama’s economy has worked from the top down, serving the wealthy and major corporate interests while leaving working families and small businesses to fight for what’s left. It’s time we built an economy that works for everyday people, where prosperity is available to all and hard work is actually rewarded.

That means fair wages, stronger unions, and real investment in local businesses, not tax breaks for multinational corporations. It means building a better tax structure where the wealthiest among us actually pay their fair share. It means giving small business owners the same opportunities as the big guys, and ensuring every worker has dignity, security, and a voice on the job. Labor is our backbone.Healthcare

Healthcare is a basic human right, not a privilege tied to job status, income, or ZIP code. I believe Alabama needs to work towards a universal system so that every person can get care without the fear of massive debt or being denied coverage. But we must also face the reality that our state cannot reach that goal overnight. Years of horrible fiscal management by the legislature, underfunding, hospital closures, and a shrinking healthcare workforce means that we need to build the foundation first so we can do it responsibly and correctly.

Alabama deserves a system built around people, not profits, corporations, or insurance companies. And I’m committed to fighting for a future where every Alabamian can get the care they need.Education

Every child in Alabama deserves a world-class education, no matter their zip code, background, or family income. A strong Alabama starts with strong public schools. I’ll fight to fully fund K–12 education, raise teacher pay, modernize classrooms, support special needs programs, and ensure every student has the resources they need to succeed. But learning shouldn’t end at graduation. That’s why I support raising revenue by taxing the rich and expanding our economy so we can guarantee every Alabamian the opportunity to attend community college and technical trade school tuition-free.

By investing in our students, teachers, and workforce, we can build a stronger economy where opportunity belongs to everyone, not just the few.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about public policies that materially improve people’s lives and shift power back to everyday Alabamians. I have four pillars to my campaign: economic fairness and affordability, healthcare expansion, education investment, and democratic reform. I go in depth with each of these on my website. But it all comes from the belief that Alabama works best when we prioritize the working class and when government serves everyday people, not the rich and powerful.