Peter Cooke (politician)

Peter Cooke (born July 25, 1943) is an American politician and businessman from the state of Utah. He served as the Democratic nominee for Governor of Utah in 2012, losing to incumbent Republican Gary Herbert.

Cooke earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Weber State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He served in the United States Army, achieving the rank of captain.

Prior to his gubernatorial run, Cooke held various positions in business and public service. He served as Director of the Utah Department of Community and Economic Development under Governor Scott Matheson from 1985 to 1987. He also has a long history in the private sector, primarily in real estate development.

In the 2012 gubernatorial election, Cooke focused on issues such as education, economic development, and environmental protection. His platform included proposals for increased investment in public education and attracting new businesses to the state. While he campaigned actively and received endorsements from various organizations, he ultimately lost the election by a significant margin.

Since his run for governor, Cooke has remained active in Utah's business and civic communities.