'On-the-job experience' pays off for incoming Eddy County Clerk Cara Cooke

Cara Cooke worked at the Eddy County Clerk's Office for 15 years before she was chosen for by voters to lead the office in November, and said her years of experience would help inform her work for at least the next four years.

After being voted into the post, Cooke will on Jan. 3 replace outgoing County Clerk Darlene Rosprim, who was appointed to fill out the remaining term of late Eddy County Clerk Robin Van Natta.

Cooke, a Republican, won the county clerk’s race without any Republican opposition in the June primary or a Democrat in the November general election.

Cooke was a voting machine technician and elections administrator for the Eddy County Clerk’s Office for 14 years and was appointed chief deputy clerk in 2021 after Van Natta died in office and the Eddy County Board of County Commissioners appointed Rosprim to finish out the remainder of her term.

More:GOP ahead in southeast New Mexico early voting. Democratic Party leads in bigger cities

Cooke said the county clerk performs functions like recording mortgages, property deeds and other land documents. Marriage licenses are issued and recorded as the clerk’s office as well. The county clerk is responsible for elections and following all laws pertaining to elections.

“Robin was like an election encyclopedia. I was cross trained to work both sides of the office. Darlene has been working with me on becoming county clerk. I’m very thankful for her guidance over the years,” Cooke said.

Rosprim worked in the Eddy County Clerk’s Office for 27 years and previously served 10 years as county clerk including two four-year terms between 2006 and 2014, before filling in for Van Natta.

She said 2022 was the right time for her to retire from the county clerk’s office and its duties.

“Time for me to pass that onto somebody else,” Rosprim said.

Rosprim, an Eddy County native, said she plans to spend more time with her grandkids and volunteer.

Who is Cara Cooke?

Born in Gary, Indiana, Cooke said she moved to Carlsbad when she was 4 years old as her father got a job in the Eddy County potash industry.

She graduated from Carlsbad High School and obtained an associate degree from the former New Mexico State University at Carlsbad, now Southeast New Mexico Community College.

“My most proud accomplishment is being a mom to my kids, Sabrina and Charlie. I want to thank my parents, Rob and Vicky, for showing me to make a loving home for my kids to be raised in,” Cooke said.

More:Megan Bowen and Kelly Calicoat win Eddy County Magistrate races in Tuesday primary

“We lost my dad six years ago and it devastated all of us. I strive every day to make my dad proud, I was a true daddy’s girl,” she added.

Cooke outlines plan for first term

She said continued efficiency that serves the residents of Eddy County was her main goal during her first term as Eddy County Clerk.

“We have the best employees at the clerk’s office, they will work very hard to provide excellent customer service. I plan on continuing to conduct transparent elections,” she said.

More:Securing the voting machines

Cooke will be sworn into office Jan. 3, 2023, during the Eddy County Board of County Commissioner meeting along with incoming District 4 County Commissioner James Bowen III, incoming assessor Rhonda Hatch and incoming Eddy County Division 2 Magistrate Megan Bowen.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.