Bill Cole (politician)
| Bill Cole | |
|---|---|
 |
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| President of the West Virginia Senate | |
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In office January 14, 2015 – January 11, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Jeff Kessler |
| Succeeded by | Mitch Carmichael |
| Member of the West Virginia Senate from the 6th district |
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In office January 9, 2013 – January 11, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Mark Wills |
| Succeeded by | Chandler Swope |
| Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from the 24th district |
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In office May 28, 2010 – January 12, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | John Shott |
| Succeeded by | Marty Gearheart |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Paul Cole III May 16, 1956 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 from 2013 to 2017. He was the President of the Senate (and thus first in line to the governorship) 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.
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. He lost the election to Jim Justice and was succeeded by Mitch Carmichael as Senate President.
Cole earned his BBA from Northwood University in Midland, Michigan.
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. He went on to win the November 6, 2012 General election with 18,598 votes and 53.3% of the vote against Senator Wills.
In 2015, Cole declared his candidacy for Governor of West Virginia in the 2016 election. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Charleston Mayor Danny Jones and West Virginia’s three congressman all endorsed Cole, essentially clearing the path for Cole to become the Republican nominee uncontested. Cole received fundraising support from Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and from former Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Cole lost the general election to businessman Jim Justice.
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