High Point Councilwoman Amanda Cook Tapped to Fill Seat Vacated by Disgraced Rep. Brockman

HIGH POINT, N.C. (BuzzReport) — High Point Councilwoman Amanda Cook was officially selected Saturday by Guilford County Democratic officials to fill the vacant N.C. House District 60 seat, replacing former Rep. Cecil Brockman, whose tenure ended last month following his arrest on serious sex offense charges.

The Guilford County Democratic District Committee voted to nominate Cook, an at-large councilwoman, after a specialized meeting held Saturday morning. Her selection is a critical step toward restoring representation to District 60, which includes the southern portion of Guilford County.

The extraordinary session followed the abrupt resignation of Brockman, who stepped down amid a criminal investigation.

A Swift Democratic Process

Guilford County Democratic leadership moved quickly to navigate the process required to fill the vacancy. The day began with a candidate forum at 9 a.m., giving declared contenders an opportunity to address the committee members who would ultimately cast their votes.

While candidates Joseph Alston, Bruce Davis, Angie Williams McMichael, and Cook had announced their intent prior to the meeting, the process also allowed for self-nomination during the 10:15 a.m. County Executive Committee (CEC) meeting.

During the CEC session—which officials later voted to dissolve and reform into the legally specified N.C. House of Representatives District Committee—officials from District 60 cast their ballots. Cook clinched the needed votes to secure the nomination.

Cook currently serves on the High Point City Council, a position she will hold until Gov. Josh Stein approves her appointment to the state House. Her selection signals local Democratic alignment, as Cook had already expressed long-term interest in the legislative role.

“I did declare, long ago, earlier this year at a precinct organization meeting that I plan to run for the seat,” Cook said on Saturday, affirming her commitment to a full term.

Next Steps Await Governor Stein’s Approval

The committee’s vote is the penultimate step in filling the seat. Cook’s nomination will now be formally presented to Governor Josh Stein for final approval.

If confirmed by Stein, Cook will immediately take over the remainder of the term, which was set to conclude in January 2027, providing stability to a district shaken by recent events.

However, state law requires the governor’s assent. If Governor Stein does not approve the nominee, the entire process will be forced to restart, requiring the reconvened District Committee to select a new representative candidate.

The Shadow of the Vacancy

The urgency surrounding the interim representative selection stems directly from the circumstances of former Rep. Brockman’s departure.

Brockman, a Democrat who had represented the district since 2013, resigned shortly after his Oct. 8 arrest. He was charged with two counts of statutory sex offense and indecent liberties with a child. The severity of the charges ensured that the leadership vacuum was immediate and demanded decisive political action by local party officials.

With Cook’s nomination, the focus shifts from the scandal that created the vacancy to the political work required to move forward and maintain Democratic control of the seat. The district now awaits Gov. Stein’s decision, which will either usher in a fast transition or send the local party back to the drawing board.