Bill Cole (politician)

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This article is about the former West Virginia state senator. For the American jazz musician, see Bill Cole (musician).
Bill Cole
File:Bill Cole.jpg
President of the West Virginia Senate
In office
January 14, 2015 – January 11, 2017
Preceded by Jeff Kessler
Succeeded by Mitch Carmichael
Member of the West Virginia Senate
from the 6th district
In office
January 9, 2013 – January 11, 2017
Preceded by Mark Wills
Succeeded by Chandler Swope
Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
from the 24th district
In office
May 28, 2010 – January 12, 2011
Preceded by John Shott
Succeeded by Marty Gearheart
Personal details
Born William Paul Cole III
(1956-05-16) May 16, 1956 (age 68)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Brownie Deemer
Children 4
Education Northwood University (BBA)

William Paul "Bill" Cole III (born May 16, 1956) is an American politician and a former Republican member of the West Virginia Senate, representing the 6th district since from 2013 to 2017. He was the President of the Senate and, as such, held the title of Lieutenant Governor from 2015 to 2017. Cole also served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from May 28, 2010, to January 12, 2011, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Delegate John Shott.[1]

Cole was the Republican nominee for West Virginia Governor in 2016, choosing to run for the office rather than run for re-election to the state senate.[2] He lost the election to Jim Justice and was succeeded by Mitch Carmichael as Senate President.

Education

Cole earned his BBA from Northwood University in Midland, Michigan.

Elections

In 2012, Cole challenged Democratic Senator and former state Delegate Mark Wills, who had been appointed to the post. Cole was unopposed in the Republican Primary held on May 8, 2012. Cole received 2,757 votes in the primary.[3] He went on to win the November 6, 2012 General election with 18,598 votes and 53.3% of the vote against Senator Wills.[4]

In 2015, Cole declared his candidacy for Governor of West Virginia in the 2016 election.[5] Senator Shelley Moore Capito, state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Charleston Mayor Danny Jones and West Virginia’s three congressman all endorsed Cole,[6] essentially clearing the path for Cole to become the Republican nominee uncontested. Cole received fundraising support from Indiana Gov. Mike Pence[7] and from former Texas Gov. Rick Perry.[8] Cole lost the general election to businessman Jim Justice.[9]

Tenure

Following the Republican takeover of the State Senate, the GOP Caucus elected him President of the Senate.[10] He was the first Republican to hold the post in 82 years.

In 2015 Cole, who is an auto dealer in his home state and Kentucky, championed Senate Bill 453 which restricts car manufacturers from selling vehicles directly to consumers, instead requiring they sell through franchisees.[11][12][13] In December 2015, Cole wrote an official letter to the Surface Transportation Board, opposing a proposed merger of the Norfolk Southern Railway with the Canadian Pacific railway.[14] Canadian Pacific broke off negotiations in April 2016.[15]

Among the bills signed into law during Cole's tenure as Senate president include making the election of judges nonpartisan,[16] banning abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy,[17] legalizing concealed carry without need of a permit,[18] repealing the state's prevailing wage law,[19] and enacting a Right-to-work law.[7][20][21] The latter four bills were enacted into law over Democratic governor Earl Ray Tomblin's veto.

In May 2016 Cole endorsed Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during Trump's campaign rally at the Charleston Civic Center.[22]

Electoral history

West Virginia State Senate 6th District Election, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Cole 18,598 53.28
Democratic Mark Wills (inc.) 16,307 46.72

References

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  5. ↑ Senate President Bill Cole, R-Mercer, announces run for WV governor
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Jim Justice beats Bill Cole in West Virginia governor's race
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Political offices
Preceded by President of the West Virginia Senate
2015–2017		 Succeeded by
Mitch Carmichael
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of West Virginia
2016		 Most recent
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