Alexander R Cooke

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Alexander Cooke completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cooke's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-427761-2026-04-02\" id=\"heading-bio-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-427761-2026-04-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-427761-2026-04-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMayor and Councilmember of Juno Beach, Florida from 2022 - 2024, I am the only challenger who has been elected to office and has any real governing experience. I am a real fiscal conservative, who will not support anymore Vanity projects for anyone period. I have an over 20 year history in Investment Management and Trading, I currently own and run Optimist Capital LLC in Palm Beach Gardens. I have a track record of fighting for our Environment and Overdevelopment.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-427761-2026-04-02\" id=\"heading-key-message-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-427761-2026-04-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease 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?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-427761-2026-04-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Clean Water and controlling Lake Okeechobee Discharges. As Mayor of Juno, i saw first hand the damage that was done to our community due to failure of protecting the environment and the waterways.</li><li>Housing Costs, Property Insurance &amp; Cost of Living Stability. I am well known for working hard against development failures and failure to properly plan affordable housing for our community. Additionally as someone with a massive financial background, i will be able to stand toe to toe with the property insurers and assessors.</li><li>We have been ignored by our representative in favor of vanity projects. Most recently the incumbent was at the forefront of wasting millions of taxpayer funds to rename an airport. I do not and will not support vanity projects with taxpayer money ever, and I already have a record of this.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-427761-2026-04-02\" id=\"heading1-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-427761-2026-04-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-427761-2026-04-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI have already sat in elected office and found the greatest gift i could give those i was entrusted with, was an actual voice as opposed to the voice of special interest groups which so commonly controls our elected officials.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-427761-2026-04-02\" id=\"heading2-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-427761-2026-04-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-427761-2026-04-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tEthics and a willingness to do the right thing regardless of the consequences.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-427761-2026-04-02\" id=\"heading3-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-427761-2026-04-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-427761-2026-04-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tBe the voice of those who put you there and accept that you must always put there interest above your own.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-427761-2026-04-02\" id=\"heading4-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-427761-2026-04-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legacy would you like to leave?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-427761-2026-04-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tTo be the force of change towards ethics and decency.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-427761-2026-04-02\" id=\"heading5-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-427761-2026-04-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-427761-2026-04-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI was an assistant to the maintenance man at a low income housing property in Washington state as a young teenager. It was a physical job requiring me to clean gutters, sewage systems, laundry lint etc. it was dirty and hard, but i was never one to walk away from a tough experience, did that job in the summers until i left for college.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-427761-2026-04-02\" id=\"heading6-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-427761-2026-04-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is something that has been a struggle in your life?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-427761-2026-04-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tIn my teenage years i lived in a car, my family had many problems and a divorce which led us all on different paths. Its not a happy story, but I made something of myself with the help of my wife and these days we consider ourselves to be extremely lucky to be able to create a life for our kids that is free from that kind of stress.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-427761-2026-04-02\" id=\"heading7-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-427761-2026-04-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-427761-2026-04-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tControlling the purse, this is the only way we correct the road we are on.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-427761-2026-04-02\" id=\"heading8-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-427761-2026-04-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-427761-2026-04-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tOverspending, debt eventually comes due and you can't artificially control interest rates. Its time to stop the wasteful vanity items and start planning for a future where spending is controlled and properly planned out. No more short term games, failure to plan for the long-term is what got us into this mess.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-427761-2026-04-02\" id=\"heading9-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-427761-2026-04-02\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-427761-2026-04-02\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-427761-2026-04-02\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tYes and no, though it is true in many cases consensus is necessary, there are many cases where there is no room for negotiation. When your country is on the brink of 40 trillion in debt, you don't get to negotiate pet projects anymore, there is no compromise there is only cutting cost and righting the ship.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nAlexander Cooke completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cooke's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Mayor and Councilmember of Juno Beach, Florida from 2022 - 2024, I am the only challenger who has been elected to office and has any real governing experience. I am a real fiscal conservative, who will not support anymore Vanity projects for anyone period. I have an over 20 year history in Investment Management and Trading, I currently own and run Optimist Capital LLC in Palm Beach Gardens. I have a track record of fighting for our Environment and Overdevelopment. 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? Clean Water and controlling Lake Okeechobee Discharges. As Mayor of Juno, i saw first hand the damage that was done to our community due to failure of protecting the environment and the waterways. Housing Costs, Property Insurance & Cost of Living Stability. I am well known for working hard against development failures and failure to properly plan affordable housing for our community. Additionally as someone with a massive financial background, i will be able to stand toe to toe with the property insurers and assessors. We have been ignored by our representative in favor of vanity projects. Most recently the incumbent was at the forefront of wasting millions of taxpayer funds to rename an airport. I do not and will not support vanity projects with taxpayer money ever, and I already have a record of this. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I have already sat in elected office and found the greatest gift i could give those i was entrusted with, was an actual voice as opposed to the voice of special interest groups which so commonly controls our elected officials. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Ethics and a willingness to do the right thing regardless of the consequences. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? Be the voice of those who put you there and accept that you must always put there interest above your own. What legacy would you like to leave? To be the force of change towards ethics and decency. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? I was an assistant to the maintenance man at a low income housing property in Washington state as a young teenager. It was a physical job requiring me to clean gutters, sewage systems, laundry lint etc. it was dirty and hard, but i was never one to walk away from a tough experience, did that job in the summers until i left for college. What is something that has been a struggle in your life? In my teenage years i lived in a car, my family had many problems and a divorce which led us all on different paths. Its not a happy story, but I made something of myself with the help of my wife and these days we consider ourselves to be extremely lucky to be able to create a life for our kids that is free from that kind of stress. What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution? Controlling the purse, this is the only way we correct the road we are on. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? Overspending, debt eventually comes due and you can't artificially control interest rates. Its time to stop the wasteful vanity items and start planning for a future where spending is controlled and properly planned out. No more short term games, failure to plan for the long-term is what got us into this mess. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? Yes and no, though it is true in many cases consensus is necessary, there are many cases where there is no room for negotiation. When your country is on the brink of 40 trillion in debt, you don't get to negotiate pet projects anymore, there is no compromise there is only cutting cost and righting the ship.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]