Cornel Rasor was raised in Bonner County where he attended local schools.  He was brought up on a cattle ranch on Rapid Lighting Creek Road and later in Westmond.  He and his four siblings have many fond memories of ranch life together.

In high school he was an active member of the Future Farmers of America where he was also the North Idaho District President.  He graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1974 and went on to attend North Idaho College and the University of Idaho where he studied Veterinary Medicine.  In 1976 Cornel and his wife Kim were married at the Assembly of God Church in Sandpoint.  They have three children and 14 grandchildren.

Cornel has been the manager of the Army Surplus here in Sandpoint for the last 31 years.  When not busy with the work of the County he tends the Surplus Store.  Cornel is active in the Republican Central Committee and currently is the Chairman of Legislative District 7 and the committeeman for the Southside Precinct.  Cornel often states that has a passion for the rights and freedoms of the people of Bonner County.

He has led in the formation of a Property Rights Council in Bonner County, the first in the country and is currently working with leaders in other states to form their own citizen advisory boards