Bill Cole (West Virginia politician)

Bill Cole
President of the West Virginia Senate Lieutenant Governor of West Virginia
In office January 14, 2015 – January 11, 2017
Governor	Earl Ray Tomblin
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	Brownie Deemer
Children	4
Education	Northwood University (BBA)

William Paul Cole III (born May 16, 1956) is an American businessman, 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.^[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.