Since then his campaigns have operated on relative shoestring budgets. This year, he expects his run for county mayor will cost $40,000 to $50,000. That probably isn't enough for Cook to buy television ad time, like his main competitors, Democrat Peter Corroon and Republican Ellis Ivory, but it will mean Cook can snatch up some radio advertising space.

Cook is the only major candidate in the race who isn't a developer — a major distinction for Cook who maintains developers, not citizens, have been running Salt Lake County for too long. Like many county government watchers, Cook says the county needs some major ethical and political reforms.

For Cook, who says he is still a Republican committed to a pro-life, lean budget and low tax agenda, those reforms begin with election reform.

Cook maintains he is the man to effect such changes, which will lead to less corruption in county government.

First off, Cook promises he will work to end the two-party system in Salt Lake County. The county, Cook says, should work like other city governments that have a mayor-council system. In those cities, elected posts are nonpartisan, and candidates don't run under a party banner.

A no-party system would lessen the contention and potential for political favors in county government, Cook says.

Another major issue for Cook is making sure write-in candidate Ivory doesn't make it on the ballot.

Cook maintains the county Republican Party is dishonestly trying to get Ivory on the ballot after a doctor said embattled sitting GOP Mayor Nancy Workman was "disabled" by a criminal case hanging over her and couldn't continue in the race. Cook maintains Workman isn't disabled and therefore Ivory should remain a write-in.

Such talk isn't sitting well with the Salt Lake County Republican Committee, which is also somewhat miffed Cook decided to run as an independent.

"When he makes accusations against the party and when he's accusing us of acting unethically he definitely alienates himself from the party," said Tiani Coleman, Salt Lake County Republican Party chairwoman.

Another part of Cook's reform plan is to fight for campaign contribution limits. Currently, there is no limit on what an individual donor can give to one candidate. The Boyer Co., for instance, gave over $45,000 in cash and in-kind contributions to Workman. Cook wants to cap individual contributions at $1,000. If he can't get that he will settle for a $5,000 limit.

"This is a county run for developers, party hierarchies and for the privileged few that sit in those top offices," Cook said. "It's not run for the county employees, and most importantly it's not run for the taxpayers of Salt Lake County."

In the '80s and early '90s Cook used to bankroll his own campaigns and estimates he's spent between $3 million and $4 million of his own dollars trying to get elected.

The money came from Cook-Slurry Co., a mining explosives manufacturer that Cook still owns.