McCook Files on Penultimate Day to Join Council Race

Larry McCook made good on his promise to run for city council in Rancho Santa Margarita. All those handshakes and business cards weren't for nought.

He's in.

McCook filed officially on Tuesday with the city, becoming the sixth candidate . Anyone else looking to run must have their paperwork filed with the by Wednesday, 5 p.m.

Jerry Holloway announced that , which triggered a five-day extension to file papers.

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McCook will run for the two-year seat that will also be contested by Glenn Acosta and Brad McGirr. All three were among the nearly two dozen residents who applied for the appointed position that was created when Gary Thompson resigned early in 2011. Council members chose Carol Gamble, a former councilwoman and the city's second mayor, over a field that was whittled to 12.

Two other council seats are being contested by sitting council members, Gamble and Mayor Tony Beall. The third person in that race is businessman Kenney Hrabik, who also applied for the vacated position last year.

Two years ago, McCook campaigned for about six weeks and spent less than $1,000 yet got 4,326 votes, which accounted for 13.4 percent of the popular vote among the five candidates vying for three seats.