Mike Cole
| Michael W. Cole | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 142nd district | |
|
In office May 2006 – December 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Sandra Lee Wirth |
| Succeeded by | Jane L. Corwin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1971/1972 (age 43–44)[1] |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Lori (Kolodziej) Cole[2] |
| Children | Emily, Allison[2] |
| Residence | Alden, New York[2] |
| Alma mater |
SUNY Brockport University at Buffalo Law School[2] |
| Profession | Lawyer, Politician |
| Religion | Roman Catholic[2] |
Michael W. "Mike" Cole (born 1971/1972)[1] was a Republican member of the New York State Assembly representing the 142nd Assembly District, covering portions of Erie and Niagara Counties, from 2006-2008.[2] He served on the Assembly Committees for Tourism, Arts and Sports Development, Higher Education, Local Governments, and Government Operations. He was also the ranking member of the Ethics and Guidance Committee. He is an attorney in Alden, New York,[2] where he lives with his family.[2]
Early life
Cole was raised in Alden, New York; and has lived his entire life in Erie County, New York.[2]
Education and early career
Cole is a graduate of Alden Central High School.[2] He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York College at Brockport in 1994,[2] and a Juris Doctor degree from the University at Buffalo Law School.[2] He was admitted to the bar in February 2001.[2]
Political career
For former Congress Member Jack Quinn, Cole served as General Counsel and Senior Field Representative.[2] He worked with Quinn's constituents in Western New York State each day, as well as businesses and non-profits.[2] Cole's focus was on issues such as crime, seniors, education, youth and families, community development, and agriculture.[2] Cole was also Quinn’s liaison for issues that affected Western New York veterans.[2]
Additionally, Cole was a New York State Senate legislative assistant for the late Senator John B. Daly.[2]
Cole's first elected office was as Alden Town Councilman in 1998, and he later served as the Town Supervisor.[2]
As New York State Assembly Member
Elections
Cole was first elected to the Assembly during a special election in May 2006, gaining close to 70 percent of the vote. He was elected to his first full term as an Assemblyman on November 7, 2006, defeating Democratic challenger Laura Monte with nearly 57 percent of the vote.
Cole won a Republican nominating convention for his Assembly District in May 2008,[3] but was defeated in the September 2008 Republican primary election by challenger Jane Corwin.[4]
Electoral history
- May 2006 Special Election, NYS Assembly, 142nd AD[5]
- November 2006 General Election, NYS Assembly, 142nd AD[6]
- September 2008 Republican Primary Election, NYS Assembly, 142nd AD[4]
Jane L. Corwin ... 3,951 Michael W. Cole ... 3,063 Leonard A. Roberto ... 1,481 Jeffrey A. Bono, III ... 255
Political views
Cole's work with Quinn taught him about standing for interests of people in Western New York, creating a reformed government so that it serves taxpayers, placing people first, realizing that doing public service goes hand-in-hand with citizens' trust, and accomplishing solutions to issues that face the community that are bi-partisan.[2] Cole was committed to achieving effective government, lowered taxes, and high constituent service.[2]
Assembly censure
In 2007, Cole was formally censured by New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.[1] He admitted to drinking excessively with a student intern at a hockey party in Albany that was hosted by former Assembly Member Sam Hoyt,[1] walked her home,[1] and then spent the night in the woman's apartment with her.[1] These actions were direct violations of the Assembly policy against fraternization with student interns.[1][7] The intern additionally lost her position.[8]
Cole was quoted in an April 30, 2007 New York Times article by Danny Hakim regarding the incident, stating:
- I ended up spending the night on her floor. As wrong as it sounds now, at the time I didn't think it was such a bad decision to sleep there, being that I was incapable of driving. But it was. I should have taken a cab home...At no point in time did anything inappropriate occur, nor has anything been alleged.[1]
Additionally, Cole was removed as the ranking Republican on the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee, was barred from the Assembly Intern Program, and lost the rights and privileges otherwise due to him per his seniority.[9][10]
The censure has been criticized by news sources, such as the Rupert Murdoch-owned newspaper New York Post, as a partisan move by Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver because Democratic Legislature members, such as Diane Gordon (who is under indictment for soliciting a $500,000 bribe), Brian McLaughlin (who is under indictment for racketeering, embezzlement and fraud),[11] Clarence Norman Jr. (who was convicted in three separate trials on felony larceny and corruption charges; sentenced to two to six years in prison, pending an appeal), and Gloria Davis, (who pleaded guilty in 2003 to bribery and served two months on Rikers Island) are under investigation for (with the exception of Davis) felony criminal offenses, yet Speaker Silver chose to censure Cole, for an incident in which he broke no law.[12]
Post-political career
Cole maintains a private law practice in Alden.[2]
Personal life
Cole resides in Alden with his wife Lori (née Kolodziej). They have two daughters, Emily and Allison; and attend St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Alden.[2] Cole is the son of Wayne and Dorothy Cole, and has two brothers, Daniel and Dennis.[2]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Hakim, Danny; Staba, David (April 30, 2007). "The Empire Zone; Legislators in Trouble". The New York Times.
Mr. Cole, 35
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 "Cole, Michael W.". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ↑ Miles, Joyce (May 23, 2008). "ELECTION 2008: Cole’s GOP line grab stuns party pros". Lockport Union-Sun & Journal.
- 1 2 "Primary Election Results: September 9, 2008" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. 2008.
- ↑ "Special Election Results, 142nd Assembly District: May 2, 2006" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. 2006. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
- ↑ "General Election Results, State Assembly: November 7, 2006" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. December 14, 2006. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
- ↑ Policy prohibiting fraternization with student interns, New York State Assembly employee information guide 2007-2008, Albany, NY, 18 May 2004, Silver, S., Retrieved 13 December 2013.
- ↑ Lovett, Kenneth (April 25, 2007). "State Pol's Intern-al Problem". The New York Post.
- ↑ Jochnowitz, Jay (May 3, 2007). "Silver Censures, Scolds Cole (updated)". Times Union.
- ↑ Confessore, Nicholas (May 4, 2007). "Assemblyman Is Censured for Fraternizing With Intern". The New York Times.
- ↑ "McLaughlin Pleads Not Guilty, Out On Bail". NY1 News. October 17, 2006.
- ↑ "Editorial: The Censorious Shelly Silver". The New York Post. May 7, 2007.
| Preceded by Sandra Lee Wirth |
New York State Assembly, 142nd District 2006–2008 |
Succeeded by Jane Corwin |