Newly elected Assemblyman Paul Cook represents the 65th Assembly District, replacing Russ Bogh who was termed out of office. Representative Cook is one of 37 alumni currently serving a state legislative office and is also a member of the California State Assembly on Higher Education Committee. This committee has jurisdiction over private universities, state universities, and community college systems, as well as postsecondary education and financial aid.

Assemblymember Cook’s top issues, as stated in his campaign, include working to stop illegal immigration, working to reduce debt and stop higher taxes and protecting the Three Strikes Law.

In addition, he is a strong supporter of education that addresses critical industry needs and workers throughout the state. Representative Cook has introduced Assembly Bill 456 this session, which the CSU is in support of, and would allow for the continuous appropriation of funds to the Construction Management Education Account. The Construction Management Education Account consists of contributions made by licensees or interested groups, for the purpose of awarding grants to qualified state colleges and universities that offer specified courses of study in construction management. The passage of this bill would help support the current 14 out of 23 CSU campuses that offer a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, or a construction management certificate program.

Before his election as an Assemblymember, Paul Cook served for 26 years in the US Marine Corps as an infantry officer. He earned the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts for his actions during combat. After retiring from the military, he was elected to the Yucca Valley Town Council in 1998. He also served as Mayor of Yucca Valley and as the Executive Director of the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce. Assemblymember Cook has taught anti-terrorism, political science, and history courses at UC Riverside, CSU San Bernardino and Copper Mountain College.

He graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a B.S. in Teaching and holds a master’s degree in Political Science from UC Riverside and a master’s degree in Public Administration from CSU San Bernardino. In 1996, Assemblymember Cook was diagnosed with leukemia, but he is in full remission. Paul Cook is a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. He and his wife Jeanne live in Yucca Valley.