Paul Cook served as an infantry officer and retired as a Colonel in the US Marine Corps. Paul's military career spanned twenty-six years. His actions in combat earned him a number of honors, including the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.

After retiring from military service, Paul campaigned for and won a seat on the Yucca Valley Town Council in 1998. As a Councilman and Mayor, he was an outspoken advocate for fiscal restraint. He pushed to keep Yucca's taxes low and spending limited. His commitment to 21st century police protection and the highest levels of emergency readiness gave Yucca Valley's citizens renewed confidence in its government.

Assemblyman Cook was elected in November 2006 to represent the people of the 65th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Banning, Beaumont, Big Bear Lake, Calimesa, Cherry Valley, Hemet, Homeland, Joshua Tree, Menifee, Moreno Valley, Morongo Valley, Nuevo, Perris, Romoland, Running Springs, San Jacinto, Sun City, Twentynine Palms, Winchester, Yucaipa, Yucca Valley and other parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Paul is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University where he earned a bachelor of science in education. He holds a master's in political science from University of California Riverside and a master's in public administration from Cal State San Bernardino. Paul has taught various college level courses that include history, public administration, and political science at Copper Mountain College, California State University, San Bernardino, and UC Riverside.

Paul is a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and American Legion. Paul and his wife Jeanne reside in Yucca Valley. Paul has extensive experience in the budget process serving on the budget committee for Copper Mountain College and as a Councilman and Mayor of Yucca Valley.

In the Assembly, Paul was appointed to serve on the Budget Committee where he sits on the Sub-Committee 4 that addresses state administration. Cook is proud to serve as the recently named Chair of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee. Paul was also appointed to the Assembly Select Committee on International Trade. In addition, Paul was appointed to serve on the Governmental Organization Committee. He was also elected unanimously by his Senate and Assembly colleagues as Chair of the bipartisan Inland Empire Caucus.