Chelsea Cook
{{short description|American attorney and politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Chelsea Cook
| image =
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| office = Durham City Councilwoman
| term_start = January 2024
| term_end =
| predecessor = Leonardo Williams
| successor =
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| party = Democratic
| spouse =
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| alma_mater = University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA)
Stanford University (JD)
| occupation = Politician
Attorney
| website = [https://www.durhamnc.gov/4664/Chelsea-Cook/ Council Website]
}}
Chelsea Cook is an American attorney and politician. In 2024, she was appointed to the Durham City Council, representing Ward 3.
Education
Cook earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctor degree from Stanford University.{{Cite web|url=https://www.durhamnc.gov/4664/Chelsea-Cook|title=Chelsea Cook | Durham, NC|website=www.durhamnc.gov}}
Career
Cook is an attorney and has worked as a legal aid for North Carolina's Durham Eviction Diversion Program.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wral.com/story/chelsea-cook-to-be-appointed-as-newest-durham-city-council-member/21239226/|title=Chelsea Cook to be appointed as newest Durham City Council member|date=January 16, 2024|website=WRAL.com}}{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Mary Helen |date=2024-01-17 |title=Durham City Council picks Legal Aid attorney to finish mayor’s former council term |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article284162383.html |website=www.newsobserver.com}}
In January 2024, Cook was appointed to the Durham City Council to fill the Ward 3 seat left vacant by Mayor Leonardo Williams.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wral.com/21239356/?version=vjsconfig|title=Durham City Council welcomes Chelsea Cook as newest member|date=January 16, 2024|website=WRAL.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://indyweek.com/news/durham/durham-council-selects-legal-aid-attorney-chelsea-cook-to-fill-vacant-seat/|title=Durham Council Selects Legal Aid Attorney Chelsea Cook to Fill Vacant Seat|first=Justin|last=Laidlaw|date=January 16, 2024|website=INDY Week}} She receieved votes from council members DeDreana Freeman, Javiera Caballero, and Carl Rist. Her opponent, Shelia Huggins, received votes from Williams, Mayor Pro Tempore Mark-Anthony Middleton, and Councilman Nate Baker. The vote initially resulted in a tie, until Baker switched his vote to Cook. Following Baker's vote, the remaining two votes were changed and Cook was voted in unanimously.{{Cite web|url=https://abc11.com/chelsea-cook-durham-city-council-leo-williams-mayor/14330456/|title=Durham City Council names pick to fill seat vacated by Leo Williams' ascent to mayor|date=January 16, 2024|website=ABC11 Raleigh-Durham}}
She serves on the council's Affordable Housing Implementation Committee, the Durham Arts Council, Durham Open Space & Trails, the Homeless Services Advisory Committee, the Housing Appeals Board, the Human Relations Commission, the Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities, and the Museum of Life and Science.
In February 2024, Cook called on the Biden Administration to facilitate a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine in the Gaza war.{{Cite web|url=https://indyweek.com/news/durham/the-hissing-cannot-happen-durham-mayor-urges-civility-amid-tensions-over-gaza/|title='The hissing cannot happen:' Durham Mayor Urges Civility Amid Tensions Over Gaza|first=Jacqueline|last=Cole|date=February 13, 2024|website=INDY Week}} She proposed a resolution for President Biden to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and advocated for the release of Israeli hostages.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2024/02/duke-university-durham-city-council-residents-gaza-cease-fire-resolution-work-session|title=Durham residents discuss Gaza cease-fire resolution at city council work session|website=The Chronicle}}
In September 2024, Cook responded to complaints made by nreal estate developers about tree coverage standards raising project costs, stating that destruction of the environment has "real consequences."{{Cite web|url=https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2024/09/duke-university-durham-city-council-sustainable-housing-site-plans-lyons-farms-elementary-school-800-new-apartments|title=Durham City Council addresses sustainable housing, reconsiders site plans for Lyons Farm Elementary School|website=The Chronicle}} In October 2024, Cook was one of two council members that voted against a rezoning and development project for Duke University's central campus.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aol.com/duke-gets-durham-ok-transform-093000084.html|title=Duke gets Durham's OK to transform university's Central Campus. But what's coming?|first=A. O. L.|last=Staff|date=October 9, 2024|website=www.aol.com}} She supports the Coalition to End the HIV Epidemic in Durham.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wunc.org/race-class-communities/2024-12-10/durham-hiv-aids-outreach|title='Issue of neglect:' Advocates say Durham isn't addressing housing needs for people with HIV and AIDS|date=December 10, 2024|website=WUNC}}
Personal life
References
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Category:21st-century American Jews
Category:21st-century American women politicians
Category:21st-century North Carolina politicians
Category:Durham, North Carolina, city council members
Category:Jewish American people in North Carolina politics
Category:Jewish American women in politics
Category:North Carolina Democrats
Category:Women city councillors in North Carolina
Category:Stanford Law School alumni
Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni