On The Record - Danny Cooke

For this episode of On The Record, we speak with Danny Cooke, Committeeman for Senate District 12 and President of Texas State Council of Machinists.

How did you get started in politics? Did you come to it in your youth or later on?

My dad was very involved in politics as I was growing up. My aunt was a staunch Republican, and when we visited her there were debates among my family. It molded my views of politics.

I jumped at voting the first time I could. I voted for Carter and I have been voting and involved ever since Ann Richards was Treasurer and Garry Mauro was Land Commissioner.

What was your personal progression from the role of activist to the role of SDEC 12 committeeman?

I became involved due to my union involvement. I am currently the President of the Texas State Council of Machinists. As president I encourage our members to get involved in the Democratic Party and in politics every step of the way. The best way to encourage others is to do it your self and lead by example.

What would you say are the primary issues concerning Fort Worth?

I think it’s a national issue, but I feel it’s local as well: the Employee Free Choice Act that failed to pass in the Senate affects us here. As a union member, I feel our unions are going away. The American union will go away if we can’t organize ourselves. The unions basically built the middle class, and the middle class will go away if the unions aren’t organized to protect it.

The AFL-CIO conducted a poll of ordinary Americans, and half of Americans said they would join a union if they had the opportunity. It’s a critical issue for unions and America’s working class. I feel it ties in locally, because I see us trying to organize around here.

My daughter went to her first day of work at Wal-Mart, and she was very grateful for the job. But she was shown a video in her training about corrupt unions, which tried to convince the employees to invest in Wal-Mart stock, and not to waste their money on union dues.

Do you have any ambition for higher office? Do you have plans to run for any other party office, or possibly even public office?

Not really, because I’m very content in my union leadership. I have the opportunity to go out and lobby and argue for my membership. I think it’s great for anyone to run for office, and I encourage all our members to run for office.

Virginia Stogner McDavid is a member from Houston running for State Representative in District 138, and she’s a wonderful candidate and machinist out of our air transport.

Who are some of your political heroes?

Ann Richards was one of my biggest heroes. I was fortunate to be able to meet her personally many times through my work with the union and was at her inaugural ball. It was a great moment in Texas history, and I am proud to be part of it.

What one thing would you say a political organization never has enough of?

Organizations need volunteers. There are never enough people to come down and do the leg work, which is the hardest part to get people to go do. Volunteers are more important than money.