Progressive Mayor Dies, Leaves Behind Five Books and a Bunch of Newsletters

In a shocking turn of events that absolutely no one saw coming, another politician has kicked the bucket. Former Austin Mayor Frank Cooksey—progressive champion, native Texan, and apparently a guy who really loved writing newsletters—has shuffled off this mortal coil. Sources say he died peacefully, surrounded by his collection of self-published "Indelible Austin" books, which are available at fine gift shops and E-commerce sites near you.

Cooksey, a man so progressive he probably composted his own toenail clippings, spent his life fighting for the little guy—or at least writing about it in his "Think Texas" newsletter. His legacy includes countless columns, five whole books, and the eternal gratitude of Austinites who now have something to put on their coffee tables next to their "Keep Austin Weird" mugs.

But let’s be real: in a city where rent is higher than a punk at a basement show, Cooksey’s death is just another reminder that even the most "indelible" among us are, in fact, very much delible. His passing leaves a void in the Austin political scene, which will now have to find someone else to write think pieces about how much better things used to be.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you sign up for his newsletter, buy his books, and maybe, just maybe, think about Texas for a few minutes. Because if there’s one thing Cooksey would’ve wanted, it’s for you to read his archived columns and remember that he was here. Indelibly, of course.