Red NoVA

 

John Cook

Hello readers of Red NoVA! Today we continue our “Meet the candidate” series, with an exclusive interview with Braddock Supervisor candidate John Cook! 

We started the interview by asking him what led him to become a candidate. His response was, 

I’ve been active in the community for the last couple of years…in the PTA, as a coach…I’ve been active in my Church, and I’ve worked with the Board of Supervisors on various community issues. 

We then went on to talk about the likelihood of him winning the election, 

It’s absolutely winnable. Fairfax is not as blue as some of the past results may indicate it to be. I’m also not in the same mold of what some people have come to view Republicans as….Nobody thought that Keith Fimian stood a chance, yet he got 44% of the vote. Pat Herrity came really close as well. I stand a great chance. 

He went on to say,

I’m getting a very good response. There is a lot of enthusiasm and energy. We want to win, and we want to win badly. 

Mr. Cook also elaborated on the fact that Fairfax is not as completly blue as it seems,

People in Fairfax County are generally not partisan. Most people in Fairfax are pragmatic. They are frustrated with the people in government. 

He talked about how he’s bringing his message to the voters,

We’re doing everything. Knocking on doors, making phone calls. We have many volunteers who are sending emails and writing letters. Every type of communication…I was on the radio yesterday. This is a new race, and this is a new campaign with something new and innovative to offer people.

He also went on to talk about policy,

One of the things we’re talking about is closing down the illegal boarding houses. Its about the exploitation and blight of a community. It can be disruptive to the community.

Mr. Cook went on to talk about what the GOP should do in order to be successful in the future.

We have to provide new and innovative solutions to the problems that people care about the most. Its about solving problems. Ideology has its place, but when you’re running for office, you have to talk about fixing things.

In talking about statewide politics, he offered an endorsesment for Attorney General,

Ken Cuccinelli is our local Fairfax candidate. Ken is supporting me, and I’m supporting Ken. We’re working together. When [Republicans] work together, we win.

He then went on to talk about the opposition, Democrat Ilryong Moon,

I’m talking about issues and solving problems. I’d put that up against the absence of that on the other side. If you’re going to run on experience, [like Moon], you would think that you could offer one, maybe two ideas. It’d be nice to see an idea or proposal. If you don’t have those, then don’t go around saying that your the guy with all of the experience. 

John Cook even made a case for his candidacy to Democrats and Indpendants, saying,

One party government is not effective, even if its your own party. The two party system is what keeps the governing party honest. The idea that some Democrats have that they should be taking all of the offices is not good for the county. A problem-solving Republican party is good for Fairfax.

There you go! Remember, if you live in the Braddock District (Sharon Bulova’s previous district), go out and vote for John Cook on March 1o! Check back soon, I’ll be posting some clips from the Recent Cook-Moon debate!