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Mark Cole (Virginia)
Mark Cole (Republican Party) was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing District 88. He assumed office in 2002. He left office on January 12, 2022.
Cole (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates to represent District 88. He did not appear on the ballot for the Republican convention on April 24, 2021.
Biography
Cole served on the Board of Supervisors of Spotsylvania County from 2000 to 2002. He worked as a systems analyst and project manager. Cole served in the United States Navy.[1]
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.
2020-2021
Cole was assigned to the following committees:
2019-2020
Cole was assigned to the following committees:
2016 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2016 legislative session, Cole served on the following committees:
| Virginia committee assignments, 2016 |
|---|
| • Education |
| • Finance |
| • Privileges and Elections, Chair |
2015 legislative session
In the 2015 legislative session, Cole served on the following committees:
| Virginia committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Education |
| • Finance |
| • Privileges and Elections, Chair |
2014 legislative session
In the 2014 legislative session, Cole served on the following committees:
| Virginia committee assignments, 2014 |
|---|
| • Education |
| • Finance |
| • Privileges and Elections, Chair |
2012-2013
In the 2012-2013 legislative session, Cole served on the following committees:
| Virginia committee assignments, 2012 |
|---|
| • Education |
| • Finance |
| • Privileges and Elections, Chair |
2010-2011
In the 2010-2011 legislative session, Cole served on the following committees:
| Virginia committee assignments, 2010 |
|---|
| • Privileges and Elections, Chair |
| • Education |
| • Finance |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2021
See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2021
General election
General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 88
Phillip Scott defeated Kecia Evans and Timothy Lewis in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 88 on November 2, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Phillip Scott (R) | 57.4 | 22,747 |
 | Kecia Evans (D)  | 40.7 | 16,158 | |
 | Timothy Lewis (L) | 1.8 | 723 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 32 | ||
| Total votes: 39,660 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Ashton Spencer (D)
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Kecia Evans advanced from the Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 88.
Republican convention
Republican convention for Virginia House of Delegates District 88
Phillip Scott defeated Rich Breeden and Holly Hazard in the Republican convention for Virginia House of Delegates District 88 on April 24, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Phillip Scott (R) | 45.9 | 614 |
 | Rich Breeden (R) | 40.1 | 536 | |
 | Holly Hazard (R) | 14.0 | 187 | |
| Total votes: 1,337 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Mark Cole (R)
Campaign finance
2019
See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2019
General election
General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 88
Incumbent Mark Cole defeated Jessica Foster in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 88 on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mark Cole (R) | 55.7 | 15,149 |
 | Jessica Foster (D) | 44.1 | 12,013 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 49 | ||
| Total votes: 27,211 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 88
Jessica Foster defeated Kecia Evans in the Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 88 on June 11, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jessica Foster | 74.1 | 2,003 |
| Kecia Evans | 25.9 | 699 | |
| Total votes: 2,702 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2017
General election
Elections for the Virginia House of Delegates took place in 2017. All 100 house seats were up for election. The general election took place on November 7, 2017. A primary election took place on June 13, 2017. The filing deadline for primary election candidates was March 30, 2017. The filing deadline for non-party candidates and candidates nominated by methods other than a primary was June 13, 2017.[2] Incumbent Mark Cole (R) defeated Steve Aycock (D), Amanda Blalock (Independent), and Gerald Anderson (Green) in the Virginia House of Delegates District 88 general election.[3]
| Virginia House of Delegates, District 88 General Election, 2017 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Mark Cole Incumbent |
52.78% | 14,022 | |
| Democratic | Steve Aycock | 37.33% | 9,918 | |
| Independent | Amanda Blalock | 8.93% | 2,373 | |
| Green | Gerald Anderson | 0.96% | 255 | |
| Total Votes | 26,568 | |||
| Source: Virginia Department of Elections | ||||
Democratic primary election
Steve Aycock ran unopposed in the Virginia House of Delegates District 88 Democratic primary.[4]
| Virginia House of Delegates, District 88 Democratic Primary, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | ||
| Steve Aycock | ||
Republican primary election
Incumbent Mark Cole ran unopposed in the Virginia House of Delegates District 88 Republican primary.[5]
| Virginia House of Delegates, District 88 Republican Primary, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | ||
| Mark Cole Incumbent | ||
2015
Elections for the Virginia House of Delegates took place in 2015. A primary election was held on June 9, 2015. The general election took place on November 3, 2015. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 26, 2015.[6] Incumbent Mark Cole was unopposed in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election.[7][8]
2013
Cole won re-election in the 2013 election for Virginia House of Delegates District 88. Cole ran unopposed in the June 11 Republican primary. He defeated Kathleen O'Halloran (D) in the general election on November 5, 2013.[9]
| Virginia House of Delegates, District 88 General Election, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Mark Cole Incumbent |
61.4% | 13,322 | |
| Democratic | Kathleen O'Halloran | 38.4% | 8,340 | |
| Other | Write-in | 0.2% | 52 | |
| Total Votes | 21,714 | |||
2011
On November 8, 2011, Cole won re-election to District 88 of the Virginia House of Delegates. He obtained the GOP nomination and ran unopposed in the November 8 general election.[10]
2009
In 2009, Cole was re-elected to the Virginia House of Delegates.[11]
| Virginia House of Delegates General Election, District 88 (2009) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Mark Cole (R)
|
15,925 | |||
Campaign themes
2021
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Mark Cole did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.
2019
Mark Cole did not complete Ballotpedia's 2019 Candidate Connection survey.
2017
As of August 2017, Cole's website highlighted the following themes:
| “ |
Balancing the state budget
Fought for transportation solutions
"When Northern Virginia tried to raid Stafford's transportation funds, Mark Cole stopped them dead in their tracks!"
Mark Osborn, Former Stafford County Supervisor Cracked down on illegal immigration
"If the Federal government is not going to do its job to secure our borders and stem the tide of illegal immigration, I want to make Virginia an unattractive destination for them!"
Delegate Mark Cole Supporting our military and veterans
"Mark Cole is a common-sense leader who has faithfully represented working families. I have worked with him on issues affecting our veterans and military bases in Virginia and can tell you he is a dedicated public servant who has gone the extra mile to make sure your voices are heard."
Former US Senator John Warner Improving education
|
” |
2011
Delegate Cole's official website listed his major legislative accomplishments as: "Fought for transportation solutions, cracked down on illegal immigration, supporting our military and veterans, improving education, balancing the state budget, protecting families, supporting law enforcement and emergency services, and defending constitutional rights."
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Virginia scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2021
In 2021, the Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 13 to February 8.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills the organization chose to evaluate.
- Legislators are scored based on their voting record on reproductive issues.
- Legislators are scored based on their votes on small business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored by the Family Foundation on their votes on bills related to "principles of life, marriage, parental authority, constitutional government and religious liberty."
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the Second Amendment.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education.
2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 8 to March 12. A special session was held from August 18 to November 9.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 9 through February 24.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 10 through March 10. Special sessions were held from April 11 to May 30 and from August 30 to October 30.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 11 through February 25.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 13 through March 11.
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 14 to February 28, 2015.
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 8 through March 10.
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2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the Virginia General Assembly was in session from January 9 to February 25.
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2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
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In 2012, the Virginia General Assembly was in regular session from January 11 to March 10.
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Issues
Implanted microchips
In 2010, Cole sponsored a bill that would outlaw employers and insurance companies from requiring that their customers or employees implant microchips inside of their bodies for rapid data collection. Cole cited privacy and health concerns as his primary reasons for sponsoring the bill. He also noted that some fundamentalist Christians believe that requiring the implanting of microchips may portend the Biblical "mark of the beast," which is described in the Book of Revelation as "the Beast" affecting humanity so that, "He causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." Cole said he shares some of these concerns.[13]
"My understanding -- I'm not a theologian -- but there's a prophecy in the Bible that says you'll have to receive a mark, or you can neither buy nor sell things in end times. ...Some people think these computer chips might be that mark," according to Cole. "I just think you should have the right to control your own body."[13]
Cole's bill passed the Virginia House of Delegates, but died in a subcommittee in the Virginia State Senate under a new rule allowing subcommittees to kill legislation before it reaches a full committee. Another bill of Cole's, which stated that all commerce that takes place solely within Virginia cannot be regulated by the federal government, also died in the same subcommittee.[14]
2011 redistricting
After the 2010 Census results were compiled, the General Assembly's Joint Reapportionment Committee chose to share the process on the Internet and allow Virginia voters to leave comments. Virginians will get to comment on how their district lines are drawn through a Web site that allows them to check out the new district maps and voice any concerns.
“We’ll certainly consider any input anyone provides us,” said Cole.
The Joint Reapportionment Committee met in Richmond to rough out the details of setting up a system to handle 2011 redistricting, when local, state and congressional district lines will be redrawn to reflect the results of the 2010 Census.[15]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Cole and his wife, Eugenia, have four children.[16]
Noteworthy events
Spotsylvania administrator conflict-of-interest
Cole was named to the position of Spotsylvania County’s deputy county administrator in a unanimous vote among the three county supervisors, who all disclosed having received campaign donations from Cole in the past. The Board of Supervisors considered 104 applicants before settling on Cole for the $125,000 per year job. Cole said there would not be any conflict of interest between his job as the deputy county administrator and his role in the legislature, noting that other legislators have held local government positions in the past. The Spotsylvania County Democratic Party and other local Democrats expressed skepticism at Cole's ability to do both jobs without a conflict of interest.[17][18]
Additional reading
- The Free Lance-Star, "88th House debate shows wide divide," September 18, 2013
- The Bullet, "VA house of delegates debate to be held on campus," September 12, 2013
- The Free Lance-Star, "Republican Del. Mark Cole named Spotsy’s new deputy county administrator," December 11, 2012
- The Washington Post, "House microchip bill dies with a whimper in Senate," February 23, 2010
- The Washington Post, "An issue of privacy or sign of the apocalypse?" February 10, 2010
See also
2021 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Virginia House of Delegates District 88 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Biography," accessed May 28, 2014
- ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "Candidacy Requirements for the November 7, 2017 General Election," accessed March 21, 2017
- ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2017 November General Unofficial Results," accessed November 7, 2017
- ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2017 June Democratic Primary," accessed July 6, 2017
- ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2017 June Republican Primary," accessed July 6, 2017
- ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "2015 November Election Calendar," accessed January 2, 2015
- ↑ Virginia Board of Elections, "2015 Primary election results," accessed September 1, 2015
- ↑ Virginia Board of Elections, "2015 General election candidates," accessed September 1, 2015
- ↑ Virginia Board of Elections, “Official Results - 2013 General Election," accessed December 2, 2013
- ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "November 2011 General Election Official Results," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Virginia House of Delegates 2009 General Election Results," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 The Washington Post, "An issue of privacy or sign of the apocalypse?" February 10, 2010
- ↑ The Washington Post, "House microchip bill dies with a whimper in Senate," February 23, 2010
- ↑ Virginia Statehouse News, "Redistricting plans, comments go to the Web," December 22, 2010
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Mark L. Cole - Biography," accessed September 9, 2013
- ↑ The Free Lance-Star, "Republican Del. Mark Cole named Spotsy’s new deputy county administrator," December 11, 2012
- ↑ The Bullet, "VA house of delegates debate to be held on campus," September 12, 2013
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Virginia House of Delegates District 88 2002-2022 |
Succeeded by Phillip Scott (R) |
