Cook hopes to succeed Kenerly

Cook

Brandy Cook, who announced last year that she wanted to succeed Rowan County District Attorney Bill Kenerly, officially filed for the position in early February.

Cook is a graduate of Catawba College, double majoring in political science and sociology.

After graduating from Catawba, Cook attended Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit College of Law and earned her Juris Doctor degree. During law school, she interned with the local district attorney's office, where she prosecuted criminal cases.

Cook, who has lived in Salisbury for more than 13 years, has been an assistant district attorney for the Cabarrus County District Attorney's Office for the past nine years, a statement said.

She has been the liaison for the Kannapolis Police Department for several years, works closely with the U.S. Attorney's Office through Project Safe Neighborhood and also teaches courtroom procedure and case-building for Basic Law Enforcement Training.

Cook also mentors children through the Communities in Schools program and speaks at schools about the consequences of drug and alcohol use and abuse.

Cook, who has spent her entire legal career prosecuting criminal defendants, said she believes "the citizens of Rowan County deserve a district attorney that is experienced, dedicated and as passionate about justice as I have been and will continue to be."

Cook said she believes the next district attorney of Rowan County should have the experience and tough on crime track record that she possesses. She has led her office in the prosecution of habitual felons and has a 100 percent conviction rate for first degree murder jury trials.

She attributes her success in the courtroom by working closely with law enforcement to build the strongest cases possible for prosecution.

As district attorney, Cook plans to target repeat offenders by effectively removing them from the community with lengthy prison sentences. She said in a statement, she would prioritize reducing the length of time it takes for a criminal case to get resolved in court by promoting effective case management.

Cook also plans to continue working closely with the U.S. Attorney's Office through Project Safe Neighborhood in order to reduce violent gun crimes.

Cook is married to Mark Schindelholz, also a Catawba College graduate and they live in Salisbury.