COOK NAMED SECRETARY OF STATE

JEFFERSON CITY -- Three of the words most often spoken in Jefferson City Friday morning were: "Who's Bekki Cook?"

Gov. Mel Carnahan appointed the 44-year-old Cape Girardeau lawyer and political outsider to replace ousted Secretary of State Judith Moriarty.

Her appointment was a surprise to pundits. It also was a surprise to Cook, who Carnahan contacted Tuesday morning about the job.

Seventy-two hours later, Cook stood at center stage in the House Information Center before a packed auditorium and took the oath of office from Supreme Court Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr.

As her husband, John, 13-year-old son, Hunter, and 12-year-old daughter, Morgan, held a Bible, and with Carnahan and interim Secretary of State Dick Hanson nearby, Cook became Missouri's 36th secretary of state.

She became only the fourth woman to hold statewide office in Missouri, and the first Cape Girardeau resident to hold state office since James Monroe Seibert was state auditor at the turn of the century.

On Monday, the Missouri Supreme Court voted to remove Judith Moriarty from office following an impeachment trial, which prompted Carnahan's naming of a replacement.

The governor said Friday his top priority was picking someone who could bring professionalism and integrity back to the office.

Carnahan said one of the main priorities is restoring confidence to the state's election process. The secretary of state serves as Missouri's chief elections official.

"I believe Bekki Cook will restore confidence to the office of secretary of state and will assure that the activities of the office are done honestly, professionally, effectively and for the benefit of all Missourians."

When Moriarty's future in the office became uncertain, more than a dozen names were mentioned as likely successors. Cook was never mentioned.

Carnahan conceded he picked a woman who is virtually unknown around the state.

"She is not someone who has aspired to be secretary of state, and she is not someone who aspired to hold political office of any kind," Carnahan said. "But she is someone who has served her community and her state most effectively and very well. And she is someone who can do this job and do it well."

In her remarks at the ceremony, Cook thanked the staff for its dedication during the tumultuous past few months, and said she looked forward to working with them as she tries to restore the office's integrity and professionalism.

"It is important that the office carry on the tradition that has been built here for many years and that the confidence in and understanding that we have to work efficiently and hard to deliver services to the citizens of this state," Cook said.

Cook later attended a luncheon, where 22 division directors introduced themselves to their new boss. Most were meeting her for the first time.

"What I want to bring to this office for you and your colleagues is a solid foundation of performance and good service for the citizens of Missouri," Cook told the group. "I appreciate your hard work up to this point and your hard work in the future."

Born and reared in Jackson, Cook has practiced law in Cape Girardeau since 1975. Three years ago she left the Oliver firm, where she was a partner, to spend more time with her children and with civic activities.

Cook, a Democrat, was appointed in 1990 by then-Gov. John Ashcroft, a Republican, to the State Board of Education. Carnahan reappointed her last year to serve until 2000.

Cook resigned the seat on the board with Friday's appointment.

Reporters quizzed Carnahan about choosing an outsider and questioned whether Cook would be a viable Democratic candidate for the office in 1996.

Carnahan said that if Cook can restore confidence to the office, "the politics will take care of itself."

Cook said she is focused on the job at hand, but likely would become a candidate in 1996.

In other questions, and later in a dozen individual interviews, reporters continued to press Cook on her qualifications, whether she was going to move to Jefferson City, and her plans for changes in the office.

OTHER NOTABLES

Aside from Rebecca Cook, four other Cape Girardeau County persons have held office in Missouri's executive branch. They are

Wilson Brown from Cape Girardeau, who served as state auditor from 1849 to 1852, and lieutenant governor from 1853 to 1855.

Franklin Cannon, from Jackson, lieutenant governor from 1836 to 1840.

James M. Seibert, from near Shawneetown, state treasurer from 1885 to 1889, and state auditor from 1889 to 1901.