Vivian Cook won’t seek reelection to the Assembly

Assembly Member Vivian Cook will not seek reelection this year after 35 years holding the Southeast Queens seat, the Democrat announced Monday – less than two weeks after insisting to City & State she would run again. 

“It has been my privilege to represent the people of my district in Albany. I thank the residents, faith and civic leaders for their support throughout the years,” Cook said in a statement. “I am proud of what we have accomplished together.”

The 88-year-old Cook plans to finish out the rest of her term, serving through the end of this year. 

Cook was the first Black woman to represent Assembly District 32, covering Jamaica, South Jamaica and Rochdale Village. As county committee chair of the Queens County Democratic Party, Cook has wielded influence over Queens politics and is widely respected in Southeast Queens political circles and beyond. 

While Cook did not explicitly give a reason for her decision in her statement, the move is not entirely a surprise for someone nearing 90 years old. 

Meanwhile, Queens Dems leadership on Monday decided to support Nathaniel Hezekiah in the race for Cook’s seat, according to Queens political consultant Tyquana Henderson-Rivers.  Hezekiah is deputy chief of staff to Rep. Greg Meeks, who is chair of the county organization. Latoya LeGrande, a former Cook staffer who currently works for state Sen. James Sanders, has also filed to run in the now-open race.