Michael W. "Mike" Cole 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. 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, where he lives with his family.
Early life
Cole was raised in Alden, New York; and has lived his entire life in Erie County, New York.
For former Congress Member Jack Quinn, Cole served as General Counsel and Senior Field Representative. He worked with Quinn's constituents in Western New York State each day, as well as businesses and non-profits. Cole's focus was on issues such as crime, seniors, education, youth and families, community development, and agriculture. Cole was also Quinn’s liaison for issues that affected Western New York veterans. Additionally, Cole was a New York State Senate legislative assistant for the late Senator John B. Daly. Cole's first elected office was as Alden Town Councilman in 1998, and he later served as the Town Supervisor.
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, but was defeated in the September 2008 Republican primary election by challenger Jane Corwin.
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. Cole was committed to achieving effective government, lowered taxes, and high constituent service.
Assembly censure
In 2007, Cole was formally censured by New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. He admitted to drinking excessively with a student intern at a hockey party in Albany that was hosted by former Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, walked her home, and then spent the night in the woman's apartment with her. These actions were direct violations of the Assembly policy against fraternization with student interns. The intern additionally lost her position. 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. The censure has been criticized by news sources, such as the Rupert Murdoch-owned newspaperNew York Post, as a partisan move by former Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
Post-political career
Cole maintains a private law practice in Alden.
Personal life
Cole resides in Alden with his wife Lori. They have two daughters Emily and Allison; and attend St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Alden. Cole is the son of Wayne and Dorothy Cole, and has two brothers, Daniel and Dennis.
