Paul Cook
Vice Chair of San Bernardino County
Assumed office
January 10, 2023
Preceded byDawn Rowe
Member of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors
from the 1st district
Assumed office
December 7, 2020
Preceded byRobert Lovingood
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 8th district
In office
January 3, 2013 – December 7, 2020
Preceded byJerry Lewis
Succeeded byJay Obernolte
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 65th district
In office
December 4, 2006 – November 30, 2012
Preceded byRuss Bogh
Succeeded bySharon Quirk-Silva
Personal details
Born
Paul Joseph Cook

(1943-03-03) March 3, 1943
Meriden, Connecticut, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJeanne Cook
Residence(s)Apple Valley, California, U.S.
EducationSouthern Connecticut State University (BS)
California State University, San Bernardino (MPA)
University of California, Riverside (MA)
Military service
AllegianceUnited States of America
Branch/service United States Marine Corps
Years of service1966–1992
Rank Colonel
Battles/warsVietnam War
Awards Bronze Star
Purple Heart (2)

Paul Joseph Cook (born March 3, 1943) is an American politician serving as a San Bernardino County Supervisor since 2020. A member of the Republican Party, he was previously elected to the Yucca Valley Town Council from 1998 to 2006, California State Assembly for the 65th district until 2012, and the U.S. representative for California's 8th congressional district from 2013 to 2020.

In September 2019, Cook announced that he would not run for re-election to Congress in 2020, and instead run for a seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.[1] In the March 3, 2020 primary election, Cook defeated three opponents with an outright majority to avoid a November runoff and succeed Robert A. Lovingood, making him the San Bernardino County Supervisor from the 1st district.[2] Cook assumed office on December 7, 2020.

Early life and education

Cook was born in Meriden, Connecticut in 1943. He was raised in Meriden and did not permanently move to California until the end of his military career. In 1966, he graduated from Southern Connecticut State University, earning a B.S. in teaching. Later that year, he joined the United States Marine Corps. As an infantry officer, Cook served in the Vietnam War.[3] His actions in combat earned him many honors, including the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. He served in the Marine Corps for 26 years.[4]

After he retired from the Marine Corps in 1992 as a colonel, he earned an MPA from California State University, San Bernardino in 1996 and a master's in political science from University of California Riverside in 2000.

Early career

From 1993 to 1994, he was Director of Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce. From 1998 to 2002, he was a professor at Copper Mountain College. Cook taught courses on political violence and terrorism at University of California Riverside since 2002.[5]

California Assembly

Elections

In 2006, Cook ran for California's 65th Assembly District. Cook won a five candidate Republican primary field with 29% of the vote.[6] In the general election, Cook defeated Democrat Rita Ramirez-Dean 60%–37%.[7] In 2008, he won re-election to a second term, defeating Democrat Carl Wood 53%–47%.[8][9] In 2010, he won re-election to a third term, defeating Wood again 58%–42%.[10]

Tenure

The 65th district included the cities of Banning, Beaumont, Big Bear Lake, Calimesa, Cherry Valley, Hemet, Moreno Valley, Perris, San Jacinto, Sun City, Twentynine Palms, Yucaipa, Yucca Valley and other smaller communities and unincorporated areas in Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Inyo County and Mono County.

The California Chamber of Commerce and the California Taxpayers Association gave Cook a perfect 100% rating, 2007–2011.[11] In 2010, Democratic Speaker of the Assembly John Pérez appointed Cook to chair the Veterans Affairs Committee, the first time a Democratic speaker had appointed a Republican to chair a committee since 2002.[12]

Committee assignments

  • Accountability and Administrative Review Committee
  • Budget Committee
  • Emergency Management Committee
  • Governmental Organization Committee
  • Higher Education Committee
  • Inland Empire Transportation Issues Committee
  • Master Plan for Higher Education
  • Preservation of California's Entertainment Industry Committee
  • Sunset Review Committee
  • Veterans Affairs Committee (Chair)[13]
  • Judiciary Committee

U.S. House of Representatives

2012 campaign

In January 2012, 34-year incumbent Jerry Lewis announced he would not seek re-election in November. Cook entered the primary for the district, which had been renumbered from the 41st to the 8th in redistricting. He finished second in the 13-candidate all-party open primary. He earned 15% of the vote. Fellow Republican and conservative activist Gregg Imus ranked first with 16% of the vote.[14] Cook was endorsed by the California Off-Road Vehicle Association (CORVA) past presidents, the San Bernardino Sun, National Vietnam and Gulf War Veterans Coalition, the County Farm Bureau, state Assemblyman Steve Knight, state Senator Sharon Runner, and U.S. Congressman Ed Royce.[15] In the November election, Cook defeated Imus 58%–42%.[16]

Tenure

In 2013, Cook co-signed a letter to then-president Barack Obama, urging him to finalize the Keystone XL pipeline, stating that it was about "jobs, jobs jobs." He also expressed fear that China "is ready to take advantage of America's missteps with the Keystone pipeline."[17]

Early in 2017, Cook voted in favor of repealing the Affordable Care Act. His reason for voting for the repeal was to ensure that "every American has access to quality care to fit their budget."[18] In August 2017, he voted in favor of outlawing late term abortions, unless the woman was a victim of rape or incest or that her life was threatened.[19]

Cook voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.[20] By voting for the bill, Cook says that the bill will "deliver crucial tax relief for middle-class and low-income Americans." He voted for this bill because more than 90 percent of taxpaying constituents will receive a tax break. He also supports it because it simplifies the tax code.[21]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Political positions

In the first session of the 115th United States Congress, Cook was ranked the 33rd most bipartisan member of the House by the Bipartisan Index, a metric published by The Lugar Center and Georgetown's McCourt School of Public Policy to assess congressional bipartisanship.[25]

Cook opposes abortion.[26] Cook opposes Common Core State Standards.[26]

Cook supports repealing the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare"). He supports legislation that "decreases premiums, makes it easier for employers to offer affordable healthcare options for their employees, and allows greater freedom for people to purchase a plan of their choice."[18]

Cook believes that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is unconstitutional.[27]

Personal life

Cook resides in Apple Valley, California with his wife, Jeanne.[28]

Electoral history

California State Assembly 65th District Republican Primary Election, 2006
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Cook 10,193 28.8
Republican Brenda Salas 8,062 22.8
Republican Jim Ayres 7,870 22.1
Republican Robin Lowe 7,648 21.5
Republican Ken Smith 1,711 4.8
California State Assembly 65th District Election, 2006
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Cook 67,669 60.0
Democratic Rita Ramirez-Dean 41,906 37.1
Peace and Freedom John Taleb 3,358 2.
California State Assembly 65th District Election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Cook (inc.) 93,566 53.3
Democratic Carl Wood 82,305 46.7
California State Assembly 65th District Election, 2010
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Cook (inc.) 78,475 57.9
Democratic Carl Wood 57,212 42.1
California's 8th Congressional District Primary Election, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregg Imus 12,754 15.6
Republican Paul Cook 12,517 15.3
Republican Phil Liberatore 12,277 15.0
Democratic Jackie Conaway 11,674 14.3
Republican Brad Mitzelfelt 8,801 10.8
Democratic John Pinkerton 7,941 9.1
Republican Angela Valles 4,924 6.0
Republican Ryan McEachron 3,181 3.9
Independent Anthony Adams 2,750 3.4
Republican Bill Jensen 1,850 2.3
Republican George Craig 1,376 1.7
Republican Joseph Napolitano 1,050 1.3
Republican Dennis Albertsen 761 0.9
California's 8th Congressional District Election, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Cook 103,093 57.4
Republican Gregg Imus 76,551 42.6
California's 8th Congressional District Primary Election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Cook (inc.) 40,007 58.1
Democratic Bob Conaway 12,885 18.7
Republican Paul Hannosh 9,037 13.1
Democratic Odessia Lee 6,930 10.1
California's 8th Congressional District Election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Cook (inc.) 77,480 67.6
Democratic Bob Conaway 37,056 32.4
California's 8th Congressional District Primary Election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Cook (inc.) 50,425 42.0
Democratic Rita Ramirez 26,325 21.9
Republican Tim Donnelly 24,886 20.7
Democratic John Pinkerton 11,780 9.8
Democratic Roger La Plante 6,661 5.5

References

  1. ↑ Mai-Duc, Christine (September 17, 2019). "California Republican Rep. Paul Cook to retire from Congress, run for county supervisor seat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  2. ↑ Bharath, Deepa (March 4, 2020). "Dawn Rowe, Paul Cook appear to win S.B. County supervisor seats". The San Bernardino Sun. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Biography of Col. Paul Cook (Ret.)". Cook.house.gov. Archived from the original on February 20, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Paul Cook, R (Calif.-8th)". Roll Call. October 10, 2013. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  5. ↑ "California, 8th House District". NationalJournal.com. Archived from the original on 2012-11-28. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  6. ↑ "CA State Assembly 65 – R Primary Race – Jun 06, 2006". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  7. ↑ "CA State Assembly 65 Race – Nov 07, 2006". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  8. ↑ "CA State Assembly 65 Race – Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  9. ↑ York, Anthony. "Legislative results include warning signs for Assembly Republicans". Capitol Weekly. Archived from the original on 2013-10-15. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  10. ↑ "CA State Assembly 65 Race – Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  11. ↑ "Biography". joinpaulcook.com. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  12. ↑ "Assemblyman Cook Named Chair Of Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee". Republican.assembly.ca.gov. 2010-03-19. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  13. ↑ "Paul Cook". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  14. ↑ "CA – District 08 – Open Primary Race – Jun 05, 2012". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  15. ↑ "Join Paul Cook Blog | Thoughts from Colonel Paul Cook". Paul Cook. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  16. ↑ "CA – District 08 Race – Nov 06, 2012". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  17. ↑ "Congressman Paul Cook Urges President Obama to Allow Keystone Pipeline – High Desert Daily". High Desert Daily. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  18. 1 2 Moore, Stacy. "Obamacare repeal gets Paul Cook's vote". Hi-Desert Star. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  19. ↑ Celentano, Catherine (6 October 2017). "Here's how Inland-area members of Congress voted on abortion limits, federal budgets". Press Enterprise. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  20. ↑ Almukhtar, Sarah (19 December 2017). "How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  21. ↑ "Rep. Cook Votes for Final Version of Tax Reform Bill". Highland Community News. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  22. ↑ "Members". House Baltic Caucus. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  23. ↑ "Members". Republican Mains Street Partnership. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  24. ↑ "Members". Congressional Western Caucus. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  25. ↑ "The Lugar Center - McCourt School Bipartisan Index" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: The Lugar Center. April 24, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  26. 1 2 "Paul Cook on the Issues". On The Issues. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  27. ↑ Johnson, Shea. "Rep. Cook: DACA solution considered only amid broader immigration reforms". vvdailypress.com.
  28. ↑ "Meet Colonel Paul Cook". Paul Cook. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
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