Pass Assemblyman to Run for Third District Seat in San Bernardino County

The state assemblyman for the San Gorgonio Pass area has announced he will run for Third District Supervisor in San Bernardino County in November 2012.

Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucca Valley, will go up against incumbent District 3 Supervisor Neil Derry, and Tribal Chairman James Ramos of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

The Third District covers more than 2,000 square miles and is home to more than 70,000 residents living in unincorporated areas of central San Bernardino County.

"We're going to give it a try," Cook said Monday in a phone interview. "I think there's a lot I can do in San Bernardino County."

On Friday, legislation authored by Cook to remove elected officials from boards or commissions when they face criminal charges was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown. Cook introduced AB 309 earlier this year in response to corruption cases in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Cook served 26 years in the Marine Corps, ending his military career as an infantry officer stationed at Twentynine Palms Marine Base. His military decorations include a Bronze Star for combat bravery and two Purple Hearts while serving in Vietnam.

"We need a clean break in the Third District in San Bernardino County," Cook said when he announced his candidacy Sept. 29. "People deserve a county supervisor who isn't tied to scandal and someone who will be an independent voice. Our county needs leadership that's focused on jobs and economic development. We can’t afford representatives who are distracted by indictments, raids, and investigations."

Derry, R-Redlands, was honorably discharged as a Corporal from the Marine Corps. He served in Desert Storm as an avionics technician, according to his district web site.

Derry in July to misdemeanor failing to report a campaign contribution in San Bernardino County Superior Court, as part of a plea deal that included the dismissal of felony charges against him.

"Unlike my opponents I have a track record of opening records for public scrutiny," Derry said Monday in a phone interview. "I've cut benefits for elected officials. My district's budget is online. We don't hide our budget like the assembly does."

Derry is the first elected official in the region to place his and all staff expense reports and credit card purchases online for anyone to review, according to his web site.

, D-Highland, announced his candidacy for the Third District in May. He identifies himself as a small business owner, community leader and elected member of the San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees.

Ramos has served on boards for the San Bernardino County Museum Association, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation, Foundation Board of Governors, California State University San Bernardino, Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, St. Bernardine Medical Center Foundation, San Bernardino Valley College Foundation, Crafton Hills College Foundation, and Arrowhead United Way.

Derry has referred to Ramos as "the San Manuel casino boss," and called on him earlier this year to release his personal income and property tax records.

A spokesman for the San Manuel tribe Monday referred questions to a Ramos campaign contact, who could not be reached for comment.

UPDATE 4:45 p.m.

Ramos said his leadership qualities make him the best choice for Third District residents and voters.

"I bring to the county experience in creating a stable environment for jobs and business growth," Ramos said in a phone interview Monday afternoon. "Stability is the foundation for growth, and that is what elected officials are supposed to build.

"Once the word gets out there is stability in San Bernardino County, more jobs and businesses will come," Ramos said. "We have to market what the county has to offer, the diversity of the environment - from the San Bernardino valley to the mountains, the Morongo Valley, and the desert."

Ramos emphasized the Third District contest will be a non-partisan race, and said he has "strong support" from leaders in both parties.