Full Biography

Col. Paul Cook (ret.) was elected to serve in the US House of Representatives in November 2012. He represents California’s 8th Congressional District which includes the high desert communities of San Bernardino County as well as Mono and Inyo counties.

An infantry officer who served with distinction in the United States Marine Corps and a veteran of the Vietnam War, Col. Cook’s military career spanned twenty-six years. His actions in combat earned him a number of honors, including two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star Medal with a V for valor. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1992 as a colonel.

Prior to his election to the U.S. House of Representatives, Col. Cook represented the 65th Assembly District for six years in the California State Legislature and served on the Yucca Valley Town Council.

In the U.S. House of Representatives, Cook is a member of the Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, and Natural Resources committees. He lives in Yucca Valley with his wife, Jeanne.