Huntington Beach Mayor Debbie Cook to Run for Congress

Huntington Beach Mayor Debbie Cook announced today her intention to run for the 46^th Congressional seat held by Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher.

“Our nation faces big problems: a growing energy gap, a struggling economy, global warming, the escalating costs of health care, and the war in Iraq.” Mayor Cook said. “We need new people with new passion and new ideas who have experience working across party lines to get results.”

Cook faces long odds in this heavily Republican district. But Cook believes that the best and most creative solutions are coming from non-partisan elected officials at the local level, who are close to their constituents. “We need to focus on the basics: where we work, where we live, and our place in the world,” Cook said.

Cook made the announcement Saturday, Feb. 2 during a Democratic Mayor’s breakfast at the Democratic Party of Orange County’s Biennial Convention in Anaheim.

Cook, an attorney and a former small business owner, is serving her second term as mayor of Huntington Beach since being elected to the Huntington Beach City Council in 2000 and reelected in 2004. On the council, Cook is recognized for her common sense and her commitment to fiscal responsibility.

She helped lead the fight to prevent the Orange County Sanitation District from dumping massive amounts of partially treated wastewater into the ocean. Cook has promoted energy efficiency and other green initiatives in Huntington Beach city government.

In the 1990s, Cook led grassroots efforts in Huntington Beach that saved public parks and beaches from commercial development. As an attorney, she worked on the legal team that set precedent in protecting environmentally sensitive coastal habitat including the Bolsa Chica mesa.

Cook currently serves as Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee for the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and Chair of the Orange County Parks Commission.

Cook has spoken across the country and internationally on the challenges local governments face from the peaking of world oil production. She is a member of the board of directors of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas.

Cook has ties across the 46^th congressional district which stretches along the coast from Costa Mesa to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. In addition to a degree in Earth Science from Cal State Long Beach, she has an honorary degree from Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa as a result of 25 years of volunteer work in the Horticulture Department. While in her twenties, she purchased her first home in Westminster and volunteered in the Fountain Valley schools and Fountain Valley neighborhood watch program.

Cook has been a resident of Orange County for more than 40 years. She is married to John Fisher, has one son and a grandson.

Comments

[Todd]

This is great news. Debbie has done a lot for the citizens of Huntington Beach and worked to represent all residents. Watching council meetings on TV, I've been impressed with her preparation and analysis of issues. She's been a leader on key issues like energy well before they become a blip on most people's radars. I'm excited to see her announce her intent to run for Congress. I believe she'll be able to do the same for residents of the 46th CD.

[Chris]

Cook 08! Very exciting to see her jump in the race. We are long overdue for a change.

[Ray Rayani]

CONGRAGULATIONS TO YOU MS COOK

CHANGE !!!!!!

WE NEED NEW BLOOD TO RUN THIS COUNTRY.

YOU HAVE ALL MY SUPPORT AND WISH YOU ALL THE SUCCESS. KEEP THE WOMEN POWER GOING.
YOU ARE SOUND MAYOR !!!

REGARDS

RAY

[Kevin Carlin]

Debbie Cook was at her best last night, delivering a highly effective speech that accompanied her "no" vote on the Senior Center debacle, a project that is obviously headed for cost overruns, legal challenges, and a host of bad feelings. Cook's fiscal responsibility, coupled with her environmental record, will make her an attractive candidate for that congressional seat. Bravo Debbie!

[Peter]

Unseat Dana Rohrabacher?

It's official:

Her honor has lost her mind.

[Shannon Pierce]

Cook is neither the candidate to beat Rohrabacher nor the 46th's best possible Representative, but Dr. Richard Lara is both. He understands what is really important and bold enough to get things done. Follow the link to see what our next Congressman, who will give Veterans the help and support they need and deserve, had to say this past Flag Day: http://hbdowntown.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/06/flag_day_celebr_1.html

[concerned citizen]

Shannon you're funny.

[carol burke]

I am glad to see you running against Dana since he has made little use of representing us over these years. I not only want to see change, I want a representative of my ideas: health care for all; end to Iraq war and major reductions in our military budget; and end to the patriot act; an increase in peace activities; wipe out of NAFTA/CAFTA & campaign funding loopholes; etc Most feel insulted with the GOP's actions and fear for this country! Now we have a chance to begin the haul to recovery.
Get out and work everybody who wants Dana out of office & D. Cook in!!

[JP Merzetti]

What a treat, to find a congressional candidate who is not afraid to address the issue of Peak Oil, and all its alarming potential consequences.
I'll be watching the further adventures of her political career with interest, and can only wish her good luck, and good fortune.
JPM
Canada

[Cris Smith]

You have my support, I am not currently a resident but have been recently and grew up in HB. I think you hold the ideals of our area and we are in much need of the change.

Good Luck and may our troops see a genuine celebration of patriotism next year.

Support our troops and give them the fair shake they deserve.

[Renee Cornair]

I am enclosing a copy of a letter sent to the Huntington Beach Planning Dept. concerning Conditional Use Permit No. 2008-013 : Beach Promenade Commercial Center. My understanding is that they are NOT representing the wishes of our community. In an era of government inundated by special interests groups, and in the spirit of President Obama's campaign to eliminate these from a non-partisan government, I think you should be aware of your voter's take on this issue.

Dear Planning Committee representative,
I am writing concerning the proposed development of the Big Lot's shopping center on Beach Blvd. & Atlanta (Beach Promenade Commercial Center). Because of my work schedule I am unable to attend City Council meetings, but I would like to comment on the existing proposals to the site.

My understanding is that Sassounian LLC would like to maintain the existing one story structure while refurbishing the existing business fronts. They propose using colors and materials complementing the surrounding residential neighborhoods. This would finally eliminate the existing "blighted" appearance of this site, without eliminating valued existing businesses, which would be welcomed by the community.

Adding a new grocery store would be a highly favored addition, especially for seniors in the area that cannot drive, but could more easily walk to this location than to the grocery store several blocks away.

The existing Big Lots is also very important to local seniors on a fixed income. Most of the community would like to retain it in its present location as it also services a broad spectrum of the community and the closest other location is some distance from our area.

By relocating the Thrifty Drug store to the perpetually empty BOA building, some of the abandoned atmosphere of the center would be overcome, while still retaining another valued business. Las Barcas restaurant is a well known local gem that the residents of our area would be loathe to lose. It is almost an HB landmark and a convenient dining alternative for HB visitors to our beach and existing hotels in the area. We really have very few affordable restaurants within walking distance of the beach that service such a broad spectrum of our community.

In contrast, we do not see a value to the local community for a multi-story hotel with retailers on the 1st floor. They would only be of value to transitory visitors, not the residential community at large. They would be in direct competition with the existing huge Hyatt Regency Hotel directly across the street on Beach & PCH. In a downturned economy, I cannot see yet another half empty hotel adding desired commerce to our area.

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