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though a long-term resident of [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]], Cooksey was born in [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] in Rapides Parish in Central Louisiana. He graduated from La Salle High School in Olla in LaSalle Parish, where his father operated a sawmill. He attended [[Louisiana State University]] in [[Baton Rouge]] and received his [[M.D.]] degree from the LSU Health Sciences Center in [[New Orleans]] in 1966. In 1994, he received a [[Master of Business Administration]] from the [[University of Texas]] in [[Austin]]. From 1967 to 1969, he served in the [[United States Air Force]], where he was stationed in [[Texas]] and [[Thailand]].From 1969 to 1972, he was a member of the Air Force Reserve from 1969 until 1972<ref name=cooksey>John Cooksey Net Worth At Death, His Wife And Family- How Did He Die? (mixedarticle.com), accessed June 6, 2022.</ref>

though a long-term resident of [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]], Cooksey was born in [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] in Rapides Parish in Central Louisiana. He graduated from La Salle High School in Olla in LaSalle Parish, where his father operated a sawmill. He attended [[Louisiana State University]] in [[Baton Rouge]] and received his [[M.D.]] degree from the LSU Health Sciences Center in [[New Orleans]] in 1966. In 1994, he received a [[Master of Business Administration]] from the [[University of Texas]] in [[Austin]]. From 1967 to 1969, he served in the [[United States Air Force]], where he was stationed in [[Texas]] and [[Thailand]].From 1969 to 1972, he was a member of the Air Force Reserve from 1969 until 1972<ref name=cooksey>John Cooksey Net Worth At Death, His Wife And Family- How Did He Die? (mixedarticle.com), accessed June 6, 2022.</ref>

Cooksey was elected to Congress in 1996 for the 5th congressional district for three terms, traditionally based in the northeastern quadrant of the state about Monroe, but since reconfigured to reach deep into southeastern Louisiana as well. Cooksey first won the seat by defeating [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] state legislator [[Francis C. Thompson]] of Delhi in Richland Parish, a current state representative and a former state senator. Cooksey had edged past former [[U.S. Representative]] [[Clyde Holloway]] of Forest Hill in south Rapides Parish in the nonpartisan blanket [[primary]]. In that campaign, Cooksey made his three-terms-and-out pledge. As he had promised, he did not seek a fourth term in 2002 but instead ran unsuccessfully for the [[United States Senate]] against the Democrat [[Mary Landrieu]] of New Orleans. After that campaign, he resumed his medical practice in Monroe.<ref name=cooksey>

Cooksey was elected to Congress in 1996 for the 5th congressional district for three terms, traditionally based in the northeastern quadrant of the state about Monroe, but since reconfigured to reach deep into southeastern Louisiana as well. Cooksey first won the seat by defeating [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] state legislator [[Francis C. Thompson]] of Delhi in Richland Parish, a current state representative and a former state senator. Cooksey had edged past former [[U.S. Representative]] [[Clyde Holloway]] of Forest Hill in south Rapides Parish in the nonpartisan blanket [[primary]]. In that campaign, Cooksey made his three-terms-and-out pledge. As he had promised, he did not seek a fourth term in 2002 but instead ran unsuccessfully for the [[United States Senate]] against the Democrat [[Mary Landrieu]] of New Orleans. After that campaign, he resumed his medical practice in Monroe.<ref name=cooksey/>

Though Representative Cooksey voiced opposition to [[abortion]], he opposed the long-shot attempt to pursue a constitutional amendment against the practice. He hired [[Luke Letlow]] as an aide and driver who won the 2020 election for the 5th congressional seat but died of [[coronavirus]] before he could take office. Letlow's widow, [[Julia Letlow]], won the special election to fill the seat left by her husband.<ref name=cooksey/>

Though Representative Cooksey voiced opposition to [[abortion]], he opposed the long-shot attempt to pursue a constitutional amendment against the practice. He hired [[Luke Letlow]] as an aide and driver who won the 2020 election for the 5th congressional seat but died of [[coronavirus]] before he could take office. Letlow's widow, [[Julia Letlow]], won the special election to fill the seat left by her husband.<ref name=cooksey/>