Kristin Hook

Kristin Hook remembers growing up with free library trips and time outdoors, pleasures her family could afford when money was tight in Corpus Christi.¹ She says she never knew a scientist as a child, even though she would eventually become one herself.²

Scholarships, student loans and Pell grants helped her earn two degrees from the University of Texas at Austin in 2007.² She then spent three years teaching middle school science in New York City through Teach For America before earning a Cornell doctorate in 2016 and pursuing reproductive biology research at the University of Maryland.²

Hook later moved into science policy, working in Senator Elizabeth Warren's office, at the National Institutes of Health and as a biological scientist at the Government Accountability Office.³ She is now the Union of Concerned Scientists' director for science policy, whose work includes helping policymakers understand emerging scientific and technological issues.³ Her professional record also includes organizing with 500 Women Scientists and mentoring students.³

Her campaign calls for broader health care access, abortion rights, investment in public schools and protection of natural resources.⁴ She has also called for regulation of artificial intelligence and raised concerns about development's demands on water supplies.¹ The Democrat faces Republican Mark Teixeira for the open seat being vacated by Chip Roy, in her second congressional campaign.¹