Cole was a Lynn Councillor-at-large from 1932 to 1935 and a member of the Massachusetts Senate from the 1st Essex Senatorial District from 1935 to 1940.

He stepped down in 1943 to serve with the United States Army in World War II, he was succeeded in the last six months of his term by Councilor-at-large Arthur J.

[4][5] He served on the staff of General Douglas MacArthur and was counsel during war crimes trials in Manila.

During his second tenure as mayor, Cole arranged for the construction of Lynn Memorial City Hall and Auditorium.

[3] In 1953, Cole was nominated by President Dwight Eisenhower for the position of Comptroller of Customs in Boston.