New Congressman for high desert

Yucca Valley Veteran Paul Cook was sworn-in to Congress Thursday in Washington, D.C.. Cook represents the newly formed 8th Congressional District and succeeds former Congressman Jerry Lewis who served the high desert for thirty-four years.

Cook was first elected into the California Assembly in 2006 and was on the Yucca Valley Council before that.

The new Republican Congressman spent 26 years on active duty for the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring with the rank of Colonel.