{"biography":"Amanda Parsons Cook is the incumbent Democratic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for District\u202f60 and is seeking re\u2011election in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general election\u202f[1][6]. She was appointed to the seat on November\u202f18,\u202f2025 by Governor Josh Stein after the resignation of Cecil Brockman, and she officially began her term that same day\u202f[1][6]. Cook\u2019s current legislative term runs until January\u202f1,\u202f2027\u202f[1].\n\nBorn on November\u202f2,\u202f1982, Cook earned a Bachelor of Arts in dance education with a minor in communication studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2008 and a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction and Teacher Leadership from Gardner\u2011Webb University in July\u202f2021\u202f[8][14].\n\nCook spent more than a decade as a classroom teacher. From 2008 to 2017 she taught dance for Winston\u2011Salem/Forsyth County Schools, then moved to Guilford County Schools where she taught at Southwest Guilford High School from 2017 to 2021, eventually serving as department chair and coach of several extracurricular teams\u202f[14][8]. In 2020 she founded The Teacher\u2019s Edge, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides professional development and leadership resources for public\u2011school educators\u202f[14][8].\n\nHer first foray into elected office was a 2022 campaign for the Guilford County School Board (District\u202f2), where she was defeated by Republican Chrissy Pratt\u202f[1][8]. In November\u202f2023 she won an at\u2011large seat on the High Point City Council, placing second with 26.3\u202f% of the vote\u202f[8][14]. While on council she served on the Community Development, Transparency\u2011Engagement\u2011Communication, and several advisory boards, and she championed initiatives such as expanding childcare options, solar integration for residents, and increased arts funding\u202f[14][19].\n\nSince joining the General Assembly, Cook has said education will be a top priority, advocating for a comprehensive state budget and teacher salary increases\u202f[19]. She has also pledged to address healthcare funding, including support for Medicaid budget shortfalls\u202f[19]. Her legislative office lists her occupation as Founder of The Teacher\u2019s Edge\u202f[6].\n\nIn the 2026 election cycle, Cook advanced from the Democratic primary with 42.5\u202f% of the vote, defeating three intra\u2011party challengers\u202f[1]. She will face Republican Joseph Perrotta in the November general election\u202f[1]. Endorsements for her 2026 campaign include State Rep. Tracy Clark, the Carolina Federation PAC, the Center for Freethought Equality, and Work\u202fFor\u202fDemocracy\u202f[1].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Amanda Cook (North Carolina) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Amanda_Cook_(North_Carolina))\n- [6] [Representative Amanda P. Cook - Biography - North Carolina General Assembly](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/H/1002)\n- [8] [Amanda Cook (politician) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanda_Cook_(politician))\n- [9] [Vote Amanda Cook - NC House 60](https://voteamandacook.com/)\n- [13] [Amanda Cook - Run For Something](https://directory.runforsomething.net/candidate/2842/cook-amanda/)\n- [14] [Vote Amanda Cook - High Point, City Council](https://voteamandacook.com/about-amanda-cook-1)\n- [16] [Contact Amanda - Vote Amanda Cook](https://voteamandacook.com/contact-us)\n- [18] [Vote Amanda Cook for NC House](https://www.facebook.com/VoteAmandaCook/posts/im-amanda-cook-and-im-thrilled-to-announce-my-run-for-nc-house-district-60-its-t/638730728775446/)\n- [19] [High Point city councilwoman to replace Brockman in NC House \u2022 NC Newsline](https://ncnewsline.com/briefs/high-point-city-councilwoman-to-replace-brockman-in-nc-house/)\n- [20] [Cook to challenge Brockman | News | hpenews.com](https://www.hpenews.com/news/cook-to-challenge-brockman/article_3d8cdbb0-2fd0-522a-85dd-a795d27d3f28.html)","campaigns":[{"contest":"state_house_060","county":"guilford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Nc House Of Representatives District 060"},{"contest":"state_house_060","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Nc House Of Representatives District 060"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Amanda","fullname":"Amanda Parsons Cook","lastname":"Cook","middlename":"Parsons","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"state_house_060","contest_title":"Nc House Of Representatives District 060","county":"guilford","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house","office_title":"State Representative","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},{"contest":"state_house_060","contest_title":"Nc House Of Representatives District 060","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house","office_title":"State Representative","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"state_house_060","contest_title":"Nc House Of Representatives District 060","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house","office_title":"State Representative","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"DEM","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"state_house","office_title":"State Representative","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Amanda Cook is the Democratic incumbent for North Carolina House District\u202f60, appointed in 2025 and running for re\u2011election in 2026.","terms":[],"token":"6672faca40de4d28"}