Ted Cooke

Ted Cooke earned a bachelor's degree in theology from Beacon University in 2000. His career experience includes working as a senior software tester and lab manager.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Ted Cooke and his wife Jalene are raising five children and two dogs in Covington, WA. A lifelong community volunteer and senior software tester, Ted has served on the board of directors for the education non-profit PAL (portable academic lap desk) and on the board of directors of Timberlane HOA. Ted recently served as 2nd Vice Chair for KCGOP, and is currently serving as an elected PCO.

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?

Fund Police. Safe neighborhoods, parks, schools, and shopping are Ted's highest priority.Restore Education. Education that focuses on the success of our kids, not on indoctrination.Fix The Economy. Good jobs, and economic freedom and prosperity for everyone.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Fund the Police

When you call 911 the police should show up and be allowed to enforce the law. Allow police to act on reasonable suspicion, not the unworkable standard of probable cause. Stop putting police in peril for doing their jobs, no anti-police bias on use-of-force review boards. The law should be universal and apply the same to everyone.

Restore Education

Parents should always have oversight of children and education. Schools should not define by skin color, present sexually encouraging materials, nor seek to replace parents’ values. Schools should post all current curricula online for parental review, and proficiently teach reading, writing, arithmetic, objective sciences and American civics.

Fix the Economy

Lower gasoline prices by lowering or eliminating Washington Sate's nearly 50 cents per gallon gasoline tax, then realign DOT spending to match the transportation methods people choose, not what DOT wants people to use. Help fill store shelves by removing blockages to the economy- No quarantine, lockdown nor masking of the healthy, no vax mandates. Lower energy costs by ending cap and trade.

Ensure Election Integrity

Ballots should be stored according to precinct, chain of custody should be verifiable, and tabulation machines should be domestically made and tamper-proof. Require full independent audits, and represent both major parties in elections staffing at all levels. Return the option of in-person voting, to protect everyone's vote.

Ted Cooke did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

Lower Taxes Traffic Congestion Relief Needs of the 47th District placed first in the legislature[3][4]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

The proper role of government is to safeguard individual life, liberty and property. In light of this, I believe government should mostly be limited to external self-defense, punishing fault, ensuring fair standards for trade & contracts, handling a handful of natural monopolies (roads, infrastructure, fire, safety, water, sewer, etc.) and providing a very basic safety net. Any time government goes beyond punishing basic fault to trying to mandate what some self-enlightened masterminds think are correct thought, correct non-fault daily behavior, or someone’s subjective preferred way of living, government has gone too far.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[4]

[the profile publisher] also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Ted Cooke answered the following:

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow and why?

My parents and grandparents have been incredibly influences on my life and lived the history of most of the previous century. I'm amazed by the Founding Fathers of our nation, their wisdom and insight, and strength to stand against tyranny when the odds were against them. I'm particularly amazed by President Washington, who held together the Continental Army, built what was arguably the first modern spy service, and sought help from God constantly in his efforts to found a nation that would eventually realize freedom for all peoples on it's shores. I'm in awe of President Lincoln, who held together our union and was the most significant figure in ending U.S. slavery. I also look up to President Reagan, his ability to communicate and his single-minded drive to defeat the scourge of international socialism.[4]

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else that best describes your political philosophy?

The most influential books on me politically have been The Law by Fredric Bastiat, The Road to Serfdom by F.A. Hayek, Capitalism and Freedom by Milton Friedman, Ameritopia by Mark Levin, 11 Principales of a Reagan Conservative by Paul Kengor, Buck Wild: How Republicans Broke the Bank and Became the Party of Big Government by Stephen Slivinsky and Discovering America: Rediscovering the Meaning of Freedom by Douglas Simpson[4]

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The most important characteristics for an elected official are moral and ethical integrity, an understanding of the principles behind the founding of our nation, a dedication to the Constitution as written and originally intended, and a dedication to limited government.[4]

What qualities do you possess that would make you a successful officeholder?

In his capacity as a senior tester Ted has had to constantly and quickly learn new ad-hoc systems and processes, master them, analyze them and streamline them. At the same time he’s been responsible for lab space and minimizing costs while maximizing lab output. In 2010 Ted was part of a group of concerned citizens who overturned the entire leadership of their HOA, an almost unheard of occurrence. Throughout the process Ted was the “go to” team member for information on the HOA’s by-laws, State corporate and HOA related RCWs and Robert’s Rules of Order, all of which Ted familiarized himself with in just a few months.[4]

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibility of an elected official is to discharge the duties of office in a diligent and thoughtful manner, in accordance with all applicable statutes, while upholding one's oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.[4]

What legacy would you like to leave?

The legacy I want to leave if elected to office is smaller government, more individual freedom, protection for life and for individual rights, and less government debt being passed on to our children and grandchildren.[4]

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at that time?

The first historic event I remember in my lifetime is waiting in a car with my mom in Issaquah, WA in a long line for gasoline in the early 70's, due to a gasoline shortage that I later learned was in part caused by imposition of government price controls over gasoline.[4]

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was doing yard work for my grandfather, a World War II veteran and purple heart recipient.[4]

What happened on your most awkward date?

My most awkward date was with a gal who brought along a friend of hers who was a military wife and the mother of a small child. The small child was still being weaned.[4]

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

My favorite holiday is Christmas, it reminds me of what God has personally given me.[4]

What is your favorite book? Why?

My favorite book is the Holy Bible. I've read the entire book multiple times.[4]

What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?

The favorite thing in my home is my wife, my children and our two dogs, in that order. After that, it's my two bass guitars & assorted musical equipment. After that it's books.[4]

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Wait For You by Stryper[4]

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Slowing down and getting rest[4]

(For non-Nebraska candidates) What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

The Washington State Senate seems to originate a disproportionate number of bills, while the Washington State House seems to angle to pass by hook or crook partisan bills originated in the Senate.[4]

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

It can be beneficial for legislators to have prior political experience if they're using it to push for limited government and individual rights. Yet all too often it seems like they get surrounded by opulent architecture and financial numbers too large to be fully comprehended and then start to believe there's no end to the supply of money. They start to, as Stephen Slivinsky put it in his book Buck Wild, be able to "smell the marble". That's a liability for everyone.[4]

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

The greatest challenge to the State of Washington in the next decade will be funding the normal roles of government, a challenge because so much of the budget is taken by entitlements classified as "mandatory" spending while everything else is labeled "discretionary". And a challenge because of the huge cost of Sound Transit 3, which I believe was sold to the voters under false premises and should be put on hold if one looks at the staggering numbers involved for such little capacity.[4]

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

The governor should faithfully execute the laws passed by the legislature, and can also provide feedback regarding them, as well as provide suggestions for ways to make the law better.[4]

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

It takes a majority of legislators acting in tandem to pass laws. Being a team player is mandatory.[4]

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I think redistricting should be based solely on population and jurisdictional lines. I don't think any type of "hyphenation" or arbitrary classification of people into groups should occur during the process. Make the districts logical according to population and boundary lines, and let the chips fall where they may.[4]

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

My areas of expertise are technology, communication and ethics. In terms of a committee I'd like to serve on Technology & Economic Development, Transportation or Rules.[4]

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

I'd be initially interested in rules of order and consensus building.[4]

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I have the utmost respect for Washington State Representative Mark Hargrove, who represents the 47th District in Position 1.[4]

Are you interested in running for a different political office in the future?

I'm open to serve[4]

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I knocked on a door and a guy came out, patiently listened to my spiel, and asked me what I thought about the Seattle government heroin injection sites. I disapprove of them. It turns out he used to be addicted to heroin and lost everything - a great job, a large house... He wound up on the street and was so miserable he made up his mind to go home, ask a parent for a place to stay, get off drugs and make a real life for himself. That was four years ago and he's done just that. Then he said that if they'd had the city policies in place now governing when he was on the street, it would have been a death sentence. "Safe" injection? Tent cities with millions in taxpayer support? He would have OD'd by now. He knows many people who already have. He can't believe we're doing this to people in the name of compassion. I was incredibly struck by his sincerity.[4]

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What is your political philosophy?

The role of government should be to secure individual rights to life, liberty and property. In light of this I believe government should for the most part be limited to external self-defense, punishing fault, ensuring fair standards for trade & contracts, handling a handful of natural monopolies (roads, infrastructure, fire, safety, water, sewer, etc.) and providing a very basic safety net. Any time government goes beyond punishing basic fault to trying to mandate what some self-enlightened masterminds think are correct thought, correct non-fault daily behavior, or someone’s subjective preferred way of living, government has gone too far.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Ted and his wife Jalene live in Covington, Washington with their five children and two dogs. Ted was born in Renton, Washington. His father was a Seattle Fire Captain and his mother served for almost two decades as the FAA’s FOIA officer for the Northwest. Ted was raised in Renton and Maple Valley, and has lived in the greater Maple Valley and Covington areas for most of his adult life. He is both a Bible College graduate and holds MSCE and several related technology certificates. Today Ted is a Senior Software Tester and Lab Manager working on the Microsoft campus.

In his capacity as a senior tester Ted has had to constantly and quickly learn new ad-hoc systems and processes, master them, analyze them and streamline them. At the same time he’s been responsible for lab space and minimizing costs while maximizing lab output. In 2010 Ted was part of a group of concerned citizens who overturned the entire leadership of their HOA, an almost unheard of occurrence. Throughout the process Ted was the “go to” team member for information on the HOA’s by-laws, State corporate and HOA related RCWs and Robert’s Rules of Order, all of which Ted familiarized himself with in just a few months.

Ted has a long record of community service stretching back for his entire adult life, including: Elected PCO 2009 to present, COV 3244, COV 1127; previous director Timberlane Homeowners Association, Covington; past director for Portable Academic Lapdesk (African education non-profit), Generational Hope Church Adult Education Teacher; regular Earth Day volunteer; multiple short-term projects: school construction in Waspam, Nicaragua, college instruction in Suva, Fiji, cleanup on the Colville Indian Reservation; volunteer for multiple local charities: Vine Maple Place Women’s Shelter, Union Gospel Mission, Maple Valley Food Bank. Ted is also a past WSU disk jockey and Women’s Intramural Football Coach.

Ted is a strong Trump and Reagan conservative who believes in efficient government which means limiting taxation through fiscal accountability. He believes levies should never be used as a device to strong-arm homeowners into paying for what should be the basic duties of government. He opposes a state income tax, and supports requiring a two-thirds majority in the legislature to raise taxes. Like both Trump and Reagan, Ted wants to see policies that leave a fair playing field, and don’t unduly benefit state government special interests on the one side nor big business special interests on the other. Ted wants to see people free to follow their conscience while protecting individual life, and doesn’t want the state legislature to compel the positions of the Left around issues like guns and light bulbs, nor the positions of the Right around issues like mandatory drug testing and Patriot act, etc.

As a devoted husband, father of five, senior software tester and 30+ year community volunteer I’ve known the poverty of starting out in life and the prosperity of working hard to see dreams come true. I want to put lessons learned to work for you.[4]

—Ted Cooke[1]