Biography

Experience in Government - Bill Cole has spent half his life in public service, gaining invaluable experience in diverse areas of government. He started as an intern to State Senator George W. Della, Jr. when he was 19 and then served as a legislative aide to former State Senator Walter Baker for 2 sessions (1995 and 1996). From there, he served as special assistant to U.S. Representative Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07) from 1996-2003.

While working for Cummings, Cole was elected to the Democratic State Central Committee in District 47A at the age of 25. He was subsequently elected by that group to serve as its Sergeant of Arms. Months later, Cole was selected over 12 other candidates by the Baltimore City Central Committee to fill the seat vacated by Del. Timothy Murphy when Murphy was elevated to District Court bench. Governor Paris Glendening approved the selection and appointed Bill for the seat in the Maryland House of Delegates in February 1999.

Working with Senator Baker, who was chairman of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, gave Bill experience in state government that he was able to tap when he entered the House of Delegates. At that time, Senator Baker described Bill as "intelligent and mature. He's got his feet on the ground. He's an asset to both the people and the state."

In 2002, Baltimore’s legislative redistricting thwarted Bill’s goal of continuing service in the House of Delegates. Because Baltimore lost 84,860 people between 1990 and 2000, the city lost an entire district – the 47th where Bill Cole was a delegate. He lost reelection to three other long-time incumbents in the newly formed 46th legislative district. However, he was named one of the "25 Young Leaders to Watch in 2002" by the Baltimore Times.

Getting Started – Family and Education

Born in Maryland, Cole has lived in downtown Baltimore for 21 years. After receiving a B.A. in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland College Park in 1994 and a M.A. in Legal and Ethical Studies from the University of Baltimore in 1996 (photo >), Bill was admitted to Alpha Epsilon Lambda, the national honor society for graduate and professional students.

As Bill’s career flourished, so did his family. Now the proud father of three, Bill and his wife, Michelle, live in the Otterbein neighborhood where he serves as president of the community association. Bill and Michelle, an assistant Maryland attorney general, have worked tirelessly to promote excellence in public education. Both of their school-age children attend Baltimore City Public Schools.

A strong believer in encouraging young people to go into public service and in educating Baltimore’s future leaders, Bill currently teaches Legislative Process at the University of Baltimore where he is an adjunct professor in the Legal and Ethical Studies graduate program. He also participates as a regular presenter in the University’s Student Leadership Certification Program.

City Council

Bill was elected to the Baltimore City Council in 2007. He currently serves as:

• Chair, Committee on Property Tax Reduction

• Chair, Community Development Subcommittee of Taxation, Finance, & Economic Development 

• Vice-chair, Taxation, Finance, & Economic Development

• Member, Land Use & Transportation

• Member, Education

The City Council Roll Call, Spring 2008 edition, focuses on the 3 new City Council members: Warren Branch, Bill Cole, and Bill  Henry. Read "Up Close and Personal", an interview with these new members. They describe their first impressions of the job, their ideas for improving the city public school, and more.  More..

Community Service

Bill credits his work as an intern for local elected officials and as an assistant to Senator Baker for putting him on the road to politics – after experiencing the rewards of working toward solving some of our city and state problems, Bill was hooked. He knew that his vocation and/or avocation would always include public service:

Civic Organizations & Boards

Bill has also walked three times in the 50-mile MS Challenge Walk to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.