[2] For former Congress Member Jack Quinn, Cole served as General Counsel and Senior Field Representative.
[2] Cole's focus was on issues such as crime, seniors, education, youth and families, community development, and agriculture.
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.
[1] He admitted to drinking excessively with a student intern at a hockey party in Albany that was hosted by former Assemblyman Sam Hoyt,[1] walked her home,[1] and then spent the night in the woman's apartment with her.
[1][7] Cole was quoted in an April 30, 2007 New York Times article by Danny Hakim regarding the incident, stating: 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.