Weeks before all of the major candidates declared their intent to run for the newly created Congressional District 8 seat, rumors started to emerge that Assemblyman Tim Donnelly was undermining the campaign of his former chief of staff for that seat. Gregg Imus left Donnelly’s office months earlier and was the first to declare his candidacy for the CD8 seat. In February 2012 I received a phone call from a Phil Liberatore staffer asking for my help. Liberatore had campaigned against Rep. Gary Miller and lost in 2010. Now he had his sights set on CD8. He claimed to be an evangelical Christian and Tea Party favorite but did not want to face another Tea Party favorite and Christian on the ballot, Gregg Imus. The staffer told me that he had spoken with Donnelly. The popular assemblyman said he would not be endorsing Imus for unspecified reasons. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorCalifornia’s 8th Congressional District turned into a battleground in recent weeks. The contest between Gregg Imus and Paul Cook is among the ugliest in Southern California. Retired US Marine Colonel and Assemblyman Paul Cook touts his ability to cross the aisle along with his moderate Republican views. Former Minuteman and homebuilder Gregg Imus is running on a platform that includes the strict interpretation of the Constitution of the United States and his vow to never vote for taxes or raise the debt ceiling. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorThe race for California’s newly created 8th Congressional District turned ugly in recent weeks. An infusion of money from Charles Munger Jr., out-of-control supporters and unscrupulous staffers are making for a dirty campaign. Munger has spent just under $1 million is support of Republican moderate Paul Cook and against conservative and Tea Party favorite Gregg Imus. Mail pieces Munger funded through the Spirit of Democracy PAC have attacked Imus using a series of misleading and staged accusations to tarnish his character. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorThis is the second article in a series regarding the newly drawn 8th Congressional District of California. The district takes in the Mojave Desert and eastern areas of San Bernardino County along with the entire counties of Inyo and Mono. Part one can be found here. In the general election, the CA08 race has become a campaign between arch-conservative Gregg Imus and mainstream Republican state Assemblyman Paul Cook. Imus has few financial resources and it is estimated he will spend less than $100k with no SuperPAC funding. He has the strong support from local tea party and conservative groups who make up at least a solid 40 percent of Republican voters in CD08. He also has a heavy social media presence. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorThe newly drawn 8th Congressional District of California comprises the eastern portions of California, taking in the Mojave Desert and eastern areas of San Bernardino County along with the entire counties of Inyo and Mono. The district, which was drawn by the Citizens Redistricting Commission, includes 67 percent of the old 41st CD (Jerry Lewis-R), 31 percent of the old 25th CD (Buck McKeon-R) and 2 percent of the old 26th CD (David Drier-R). With more than 290,000 voters, the district has a 10-point Republican advantage. The voter registration percentages are: Republicans 42 percent, Democrats 32 percent and decline-to-state and all others totaling 26 percent. It is one of the most politically conservative congressional seats in California. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorRepresentative Mary Bono Mack (R-Palm Desert) and Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) spoke about our nation’s future and their campaigns today at the Lincoln Club Morongo Basin luncheon. Bono Mack is running for her 9th term in Congress while Cook is hoping voters elect him as the representative for the newly created 8th Congressional District. Bono Mack talked about her life as the daughter of a WWII veteran and her pride in her father’s military service. She is one of several representatives who endorse Cook’s candidacy. She explained that Cook’s status as a retired colonel would be beneficial in a congressional setting, especially if he is appointed to the House Armed Services Committee. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorFor the most part, I am not going to discuss my own personal political choices until close to or after the election. However, one decision has weighed heavy on my mind. I finally made that decision for sure. The 8th Congressional District saw 13 candidates vying for the open seat. There were some good ones, bad ones and mediocre ones. The big surprise to political insiders was that political outsider Gregg Imus would get the most votes.
by AdministratorToday I attended the Yucca Valley Republican Women Federated meeting. Assemblymen Paul Cook and Brian Nestande and Senator Jean Fuller were there. Cook and Fuller both made presentations.
by AdministratorThe San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters office posted its final pre-certification ballot count today, which when combined with those from Inyo and Mono counties, has confirmed that Assemblyman Paul Cook placed second out of 13 candidates in the race for California’s 8th Congressional District (CD 8). Despite being ahead since the very first ballot count, Cook has declined to declare victory until now. Cook issued the following statement this afternoon. “I’m humbled by the support of the voters in Congressional District 8 in my bid to become their next Congressman. This puts us one step closer to victory. I want to thank all of the voters and especially all of the volunteers and friends for helping me reach this point. Nothing would be possible without their support. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorThe concept of “stolen valor” is being argued in the courts and there are strong emotions on both sides of the issue. At this point, lying about military honors has been ruled to be a First Amendment issue, but there is something oh-so-slimy about someone who claims he is a war hero when he is not. That “slimy” feeling is what I got when I saw Phil Liberatore’s “war hero” political mailer. No, he did not claim he is a hero, but the intent to send that subliminal message and that he saw active combat was clear from the design of the mailer. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorSome of Brad’s medals We cherish too, the Poppy red That grows on fields where valor led, It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies. ─Moina Michael (1915) Memorial Day is a national day of remembrance of those who have died in service to our nation. Although there were various local traditions held in years prior, it was General John Logan, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, who proclaimed “Day of Decoration” on May 5, 1868. It did not become officially recognized as “Memorial Day” by the federal government until 1967. In his proclamation Logan wrote, “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.” On May 30, 1868, during the first official celebration, flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery and 182 other cemeteries throughout 27 states. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorMany of the 13 candidates in California’s 8th Congressional District are spending some big dough on fancy mailers, radio and television spots, signs in every conceivable location and the ever-annoying robo calls during dinner. Political consultants say that is the way to win an election . . . spend, spend, spend. Well these highly paid consultants may very well be right. It is a tried-and-true formula that has been used for decades with great success. But there are a few of us who think those political mailers are perfect cat box liners and nothing more; political signs make an area look trashy; switch channels when political ads pop up; and hang up on robo calls. Politics in cyberspace, however, is new and not nearly as boring. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorToday Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) announced that Assembly Budget Subcommittee 3 voted against the funding needed to create the necessary positions at the Board of Equalization to collect the Fire Tax imposed on Californians in State Responsibility Areas. The vote was bi-partisan. Cook stated, “This is a heartening move by the committee, and the bipartisan action tells me we’re getting people to listen. We’ve come a long way from last year when they wouldn’t even allow a hearing on my bill to repeal the tax.” Cook continued, “I commend the committee’s action and encourage my colleagues to keep their resolve as the budget process moves forward.” To read the rest of the story, click here.
by Administrator(Yucca Valley, CA) – The newly created 8th Congressional District in California covers more than 20,000 square miles and encompasses parts of three counties. Voter registration is 42 percent Republican and 32 percent Democrat with 18 percent registered as “decline to state,” making it one of the most conservative in the state. Assemblyman Paul Cook is one of 13 candidates vying for the open seat. Below are a few questions he answered for Examiner.com. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by Administrator(Yucca Valley) – Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-65) announced on Wednesday that he introduced Assembly Bill 1695. It will require California’s most dangerous convicted sex offenders to carry state-issued identification cards, such as a California Driver’s License. Sex offenders will be required to carry the identification any time they are in a public place. They will risk being charged with a misdemeanor if they fail to do so. The law will apply to any convicted sex offenders who has committed a sexually violent crime or victimized a child under the age of 14. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorJanuary 9, 2012 By Margo Sturges Yucca Valley Past Mayor Chad Mayes wearing TWO hats, again! Yucca Valley, Ca.– According to today’s “top news scoop” by Gary Daigneault of Z107.7, 65th Assemblyman Paul Cook was interviewed stating he is exploring a run for Congress for the newly created 8th Congressional District. ” The radio station apparently let the cat of the bag early,” commented InlandPolitics. Readers of Cactus Thorns know this is OLD NEWS. This story was reported on this blog back in October 31st, 2011, keeping our readers current with the unfolding events of the 3rd District race for Supervisor. There is incumbent Neil Derry (R), challenger James Ramos (D) and also tossing his hat in the ring, Paul Cook (R). During my lunch interview with James Ramos, I reported he had received many bi-partisan endorsements, notably from Congressman Jerry Lewis (R). Cook tried in vain to convince Lewis to withdrawn his endorsement but to no avail. Ramos felt confident he would be running heads up against incumbent Neil Derry because Paul Cook would be running for a seat in Congress according to reliable sources on the 5th floor. To read the rest of the article, click here.
by Margo Sturges