Paul Cook (politician)

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

For other people named Paul Cook, see Paul Cook (disambiguation).

Paul Cook
Member-elect of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors from the 1st district
Assuming office December 7, 2020
Succeeding	Robert A. Lovingood
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 8th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Jerry Lewis
Member of the California State Assembly from the 65th district
In office December 4, 2006 – November 30, 2012
Preceded by	Russ Bogh
Succeeded by	Sharon Quirk-Silva
Personal details
Born	Paul Joseph Cook (1943-03-03) March 3, 1943 Meriden, Connecticut, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Jeanne Cook
Education	Southern Connecticut State University (BS) California State University, San Bernardino (MPA) University of California, Riverside (MA)
Website	House website
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	United States Marine Corps
Rank	Colonel
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
Awards	Bronze Star Purple Heart (2)

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-elect from the 1st district.[2] Cook will be sworn in 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

See also: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in California § District 8

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

• Committee on Armed Services
  • Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
  • Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces
• Committee on Foreign Affairs
  • Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia
  • Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade
• Committee on Veterans' Affairs
  • Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
  • Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity

Caucus memberships

• Congressional Cement Caucus
• House Baltic Caucus[22]
• Republican Main Street Partnership[23]
• Congressional Western Caucus[24]

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]

Abortion

Cook is pro-life.[26]

Education

Cook opposes Common Core State Standards.[26]

Health care

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]

Immigration

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

Personal life

Cook resides in Yucca Valley with his wife, Jeanne.[11]

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. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
4. "Paul Cook, R (Calif.-8th)". Roll Call. October 10, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
5. "California, 8th House District". NationalJournal.com. 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. 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. "Paul Cook on the Issues". On The Issues. Retrieved 22 December 2017.

External links

• Congressman Paul Cook official U.S. House site
• Paul Cook for Congress
• Paul Cook at Curlie
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress

California Assembly
Preceded by Russ Bogh	Member of the California Assembly from the 65th district 2006–2012	Succeeded by Sharon Quirk-Silva
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Nancy Pelosi	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 8th congressional district 2013–present	Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by Doug Collins	United States Representatives by seniority 200th	Succeeded by Rodney Davis