Preceded by Nancy Pelosi Name Paul Cook Preceded by Russ Bogh Role U.S. Representative | Nationality American Spouse Jeannie Cook Political party Republican Succeeded by Sharon Quirk-Silva | |
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Born March 3, 1943 (age 81)
Meriden, Connecticut, U.S. ( 1943-03-03 ) Residence Yucca Valley, California, U.S. Alma mater California State University, San Bernardino
Southern Connecticut State University
University of California, Riverside Office Representative (R-CA 8th District) since 2013 Previous office California State Assembly member (2006–2012) Education University of California, Riverside (2000) Books Commentary on IEE Wiring Re, IEE Wiring Regulations 2381, Requirements for Electrical, Commentary on IEE Wiring Re, Commentary on Iet Wiring Re Profiles | ||
Paul cook for congress serious leader
Paul Joseph Cook (born March 3, 1943) is an American politician who has been the U.S. Representative for California's 8th congressional district since 2013. Previously, he served as a member of California State Assembly from 2006 to 2012 and on the Yucca Valley city council from 1998 until 2006. He is a Republican.
Contents
- Paul cook for congress serious leader
- Rep paul cook asks secy clinton a question on benghazi
- Early life education and military career
- Academic career
- Elections
- Tenure
- Committee assignments
- 2012 campaign
- Caucus Memberships
- Personal life
- References
Rep paul cook asks secy clinton a question on benghazi
Early life, education, and military career
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.
He later 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. 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.
Academic career
From 1993–1994, he was Director of Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce. From 1998-2002, he was a professor at Copper Mountain College. Cook taught courses on political violence and terrorism at University of California Riverside since 2002.
Elections
In 2006, Cook ran for California's 65th Assembly District. Cook won a five candidate Republican primary field with 29% of the vote. In the general election, Cook defeated Democrat Rita Ramirez-Dean 60%–37%. In 2008, he won re-election to a second term, defeating Democrat Carl Wood 53%–47%. In 2010, he won re-election to a third term, defeating Wood again 58%–42%.
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 and San Bernardino County.
The California Chamber of Commerce and the California Taxpayers Association gave Cook a perfect 100% rating from 2007-2011. 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.
Committee assignments
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. 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. In the November election, Cook defeated Imus 58%–42%.
Committee assignments
Caucus Memberships
Personal life
Cook resides in Yucca Valley with his wife, Jeanne.