Hi, I’m Madison Cook.

I’m running to serve Maine State House District 39, which includes Belfast, Belmont, and Northport. I am deeply rooted in this community and I’m invested in our shared success.

I grew up in Belfast with my two younger brothers. We were raised by a strong single mother who worked hard to ensure each of us could find our own path in life. Mine began at Rockland’s MidCoast School of Technology, where I discovered the profound impact vocational education can have on a young person’s future. I moved away to continue my education and start my career as an architect, but I always knew I wanted to come back home.

I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Architecture at Tulane University with a minor in Urban Studies and a focus on community-based design. I continued my research and public-interest work in professional practice.

I taught architecture for several years at Virginia Tech, where I led hands-on design studios, coordinated the thesis program, and mentored more than 150 students. Since returning home to Belfast, I continue to teach architecture part-time at the University of Maine at Augusta, the only public professional architecture degree granting program in northern New England.

Through my work and travel, I’ve learned that strong public investment— housing, education, and infrastructure— creates good jobs and strengthens communities.

I have traveled extensively with architecture students, leading programs to Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Spain, and Portugal. I’ve personally traveled to 28 countries. I value these opportunities to explore new parts of the world and learn from other cultures, but I also recognize that with this privilege comes a responsibility to return home and work to make our communities more vibrant and beautiful.

I’m running to serve. That means capping the property taxes, creating the jobs, building the homes, and training for the trades.

I’ve been involved in civic and political organizing since my teenage years. I’ve volunteered for local campaigns and interned with the Restorative Justice Project. Most recently, in 2025, I ran a successful write-in campaign to serve on the RSU 71 School Board. I also serve on the Waldo County Tech Center Cooperative Board, reflecting my strong belief in the value of Career and Technical Education. These experiences have shown me how much I have to offer through public service, and I am motivated to bring my voice and perspective to the Maine House of Representatives.

My generation inherited overlapping crises and a political system many people no longer trust. I bring new energy, discipline, and a strong sense of responsibility to this race. I’ve learned firsthand that not only is it possible for young people to make space for ourselves at every table—it’s imperative that we do. We cannot wait for permission. We cannot wait for someone else to step up. This is our moment to shape the decisions affecting our future.