Joshua Cole (Virginia)
2024 - Present
2026
0
Joshua Cole (Democratic Party) is a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing District 65. He assumed office on January 10, 2024. His current term ends on January 14, 2026.
Cole (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Virginia House of Delegates to represent District 65. He won in the general election on November 7, 2023.
Cole was a 2017 Democratic candidate for District 28 of the Virginia House of Delegates. The 2017 election was reviewed by the courts due to voting irregularities, but the courts concluded that the issues were not widespread enough to invalidate the results.[1] Robert Thomas Jr. (R) was sworn in on January 10, 2018, bringing an end to the dispute.
Biography
Cole was born in Washington, D.C. He graduated from North Stafford High School in 2009. He has attended Liberty University in pursuit of a bachelor's degree.[2]
Cole has served as an assistant pastor at the Union Bell Baptist Church and as national director of ecumenical affairs at the Holy Christian Orthodox Church. He has also served as a behavioral aid for students in the Richmond Public Schools and as special assistant to the CEO of GCubed, Inc. He also served as chief of staff in the Virginia House of Delegates.[2][3]
As of 2019, Cole was affiliated with the following organizations:
- the Stafford County Public Schools Superintendent's Equity, Diversity, and Opportunity Committee;
- the Greater Fredericksburg Area Interfaith Council; and
- the Stafford County NAACP, where he served as president.[3]
Committee assignments
2020-2021
Cole was assigned to the following committees:
Elections
2023
See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2023
General election
General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 65
Joshua Cole defeated Lee Peters III in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 65 on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Joshua Cole (D) | 52.8 | 15,406 | |
| Lee Peters III (R) | 46.8 | 13,656 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 92 | ||
| Total votes: 29,154 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Joshua Cole advanced from the Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 65.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 65
Lee Peters III defeated Michael Kasey in the Republican primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 65 on June 20, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Lee Peters III | 78.9 | 4,470 | |
| Michael Kasey | 21.1 | 1,193 | ||
| Total votes: 5,663 | ||||
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Endorsements
Cole received the following endorsements.
- Pres. Joe Biden (D)
- Vice Pres. Kamala D. Harris (D)
- People for the American Way
- Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia
2021
See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2021
General election
General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 28
Tara Durant defeated incumbent Joshua Cole in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 28 on November 2, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Tara Durant (R) | 50.9 | 16,378 | |
| Joshua Cole (D) | 48.9 | 15,731 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 39 | ||
| Total votes: 32,148 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Joshua Cole advanced from the Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 28.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Tara Durant advanced from the Republican primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 28.
Campaign finance
2019
See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2019
General election
General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 28
Joshua Cole defeated Paul Milde III in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 28 on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Joshua Cole (D) | 51.8 | 13,334 | |
| Paul Milde III (R) | 47.8 | 12,294 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 101 | ||
| Total votes: 25,729 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 28
Paul Milde III defeated incumbent Robert Thomas Jr. in the Republican primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 28 on June 11, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Paul Milde III | 51.2 | 2,975 | |
| Robert Thomas Jr. | 48.8 | 2,834 | ||
| Total votes: 5,809 | ||||
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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.[4] Robert Thomas Jr. (R) defeated Joshua Cole (D) in the Virginia House of Delegates District 28 general election.[5]
| Virginia House of Delegates, District 28 General Election, 2017 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Robert Thomas Jr. |
50.17% | 11,842 | |
| Democratic | Joshua Cole | 49.83% | 11,760 | |
| Total Votes (Legal challenge is pending) | 23,602 | |||
| Source: Virginia Department of Elections | ||||
Races we watched
Ballotpedia identified 13 races to watch in the Virginia House of Delegates 2017 elections: four Democratic seats and nine Republican seats. Based on analysis of these districts' electoral histories, these races had the potential to be more competitive than other races and could possibly have led to shifts in a chamber's partisan balance.
This district was a Race to Watch because it was an open seat with a close margin of victory in the 2016 presidential election. Incumbent Bill Howell (R), first elected in 1987, won re-election in 2015 by 20.9 points. He declined to run in 2017. District 28 was one of 49 Virginia House districts that Republican Donald Trump won in the 2016 presidential election. Trump carried District 28 by 1.1 points. Democrat Barack Obama won the seat in the 2012 presidential election by 0.1 points. As of 2017, District 28 covered parts of Stafford County.
Democratic primary election
Joshua Cole ran unopposed in the Virginia House of Delegates District 28 Democratic primary.[6]
| Virginia House of Delegates, District 28 Democratic Primary, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | ||
| Joshua Cole | ||
Republican primary election
Robert Thomas Jr. defeated Paul Milde III and Susan Stimpson in the Virginia House of Delegates District 28 Republican primary.[7]
| Virginia House of Delegates, District 28 Republican Primary, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Robert Thomas Jr. |
49.17% | 3,051 |
| Paul Milde III | 33.31% | 2,067 |
| Susan Stimpson | 17.52% | 1,087 |
| Total Votes | 6,205 | |
Campaign themes
2023
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Joshua Cole did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.
2021
Joshua Cole did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.
2019
Joshua Cole completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cole's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
I am passionate about labor policy because I believe that it is unconscionable that our minimum wage in Virginia remains stagnant at $7.25. Hardworking, taxpaying residents across the Commonwealth should not be forced to toil with 2 or three minimum wage jobs at 80 hours a week to afford to feed themselves and their families. When Virginia ranks as the number one state to do business but continues to rank at the bottom when in regards to how it treats the working class, we must reevaluate just how we are doing business in Virginia.
I am passionate about education policy as it is a travesty that Virginia continues to rank as one of the worst states across the Union in regard to perpetuating the school-to-prison pipeline. As a former behavioral aid for children, I believe that we must lead with compassion and implement more school councilors instead of armed resource officers in our K-12 public schools. We do not know what hardships a child faces outside of the school environment, and we must work tirelessly to ensure that we fully fund our schools within our state budget to ensure that we are providing them with the resources they need to thrive in all areas and that our schools remain as a safe haven for all students. I believe that education is the great equalizer and we must act to ensure that we provide alternative avenues for our graduates through vocational schools and tuition-free community college programs to ensure that they are not forced to take on debt.
My mother. I watched my mother raise me as a single parent and work multiple jobs to ensure not only were bills paid but that I went without wanting anything. Not only did she take care of me, but she also took care of other kids in our church and community and even still today she buys gifts for kids just so they don't ever have to feel left out. My mother is strong, selfless and consistent.
Bud not Buddy - Christopher Paul Curtis. In elementary school, it was the first book I was personally introduced to with a central black character. The story left an imprint on me because no matter what it took, Bud was determined to find his father and wouldn't let anything deter his mine from achieving his goal.
I believe that transparency, compassion, and integrity are cornerstones of any successful elected official. Our officials are elected to serve the people, not rule the people. We are public servants first and foremost, and I believe that serving the people begins with being transparent on my votes, my public statements, and my conversations with residents across the district. I am running to lead with compassion, and that starts with directly addressing what ails those around me, and treating others as I would, in turn, expect to be treated in all scenarios. I am running to stand for those who have been perpetually marginalized in my community, those who have been left out of the conversation for too long, and have not had a seat at the table. Running with integrity entails that in my conversations I mean what I say and say what I mean; refuse donations from corporate PACs and special interest groups that do not reflect the values of those I intend to champion; and making sure that I am accessible to all who count on me as a leader in my community and never let them down when called upon.
As an active community leader my experience can be described best as multifaceted. I have or continue to serve as a pastor, behavioral aid, Stafford NAACP President, a member of the Stafford County Superintendents' Equity, Diversity, and Opportunity committee and within the state legislature in various capacities, most notably as Chief of Staff to Delegate Kelly Fowler. It is not only the experience that I bring to the table within each of these positions that has built an effective resume to position myself as a successful officeholder, but more importantly how each of these roles has given me a vast outlook on the needs of those within my district, and across the Commonwealth at large. Through my experience as a Pastor, I have learned to appreciate and execute proper procedure and protocol needed on the House floor of the General Assembly; through my service to children as a behavior aid I have learned first hand the needs of our youth who I seek to champion as a legislature; and as Stafford NAACP President I have actively worked to dismantle race-based discrimination in all areas public and private within my community. Each of these roles has shaped my personal character to become an individual who puts a premium on compassion and personal integrity. I will never forget where I come from, and how I have fought my entire life to serve my community, and I will carry that with me to the House of Delegates as I seek to extend my life of public service to all Virginians.
I believe that it is my responsibility to serve the people of my district first and foremost. As an elected I will do everything in my power to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia from discrimination, gun violence, rising healthcare premiums, and the like. It is my responsibility to promote inclusivity, opportunity, and a better quality of life for all Virginians through my crucial votes on key legislation. I will personally seek to introduce legislation that promotes our shared values and be an active listener who takes action on the issues that are near and dear to the people of Virginia.
I would like to leave behind the building blocks that usher in a "New Virginia Way" for the Commonwealth. I am passionate about leaving behind a state that invests in our students and puts our working class first, not last. I want to leave a legacy of action and votes that defend our residents from our epidemic of gun violence so that all Virginians feel safe while at school or their place of worship. I want to leave a legacy of non-discriminatory policy that promotes inclusivity and opportunity for those who have been historically marginalized, so that those who have been systemically oppressed are afforded what has been so wrongfully denied to them since Virginia's founding. Lastly, I want to leave behind a legacy of environmental justice so that all our residents can bring children into this world in an eco-friendly environment that champions their health and longevity for generations to come.
My very first job, in 2005 I served as a Page for the House of Delegates - that lasted for three months during the regular session. My first job as an adult, I was a front desk attendant at a local Holiday Inn, and I stayed in that job for a year until I graduated High School.
Bud not Buddy - Christopher Paul Curtis. In elementary school, it was the first book I was personally introduced to with a central black character. The story left an imprint on me, because no matter what it took, Bud was determined to find his father and wouldn't let anything deter his mine from achieving his goal.
Mace Windu - the Grand Master of the Jedi Order - He was smart, powerful, and trusted in various circles throughout the galaxy.
While it may be beneficial, it should not be a prerequisite. I have served in a plethora of diverse roles that have allowed me to gain unique insight and experience that I can bring to the table as a legislator that many who have only served in their capacity as an officeholder may not.
Our commonwealth faces an unprecedented epidemic of gun-violence; education unaffordability; healthcare unaffordability; and infrastructure disrepair. We must work to tackle these challenges Virginia faces, and ensure a safe and equitable state for all residents for generations to follow.
The Governor leads the commonwealth and the Legislature represents the people of the commonwealth. I believe a healthy relationship between the legislature and the Governor should be working one, and together the two branches push a policy that should protect the commonwealth and advance the commonwealth. A proper partnership, yet ensuring checks and balances.
As a governing body, the General Assembly REQUIRES working together in order to pass legislation. What is lacking at all levels of government is the ability for members of different ideologies to come together to foster creative solutions to what ails our residents. Legislators cannot act as alone if they expect to get results. That means we must work across the aisle whenever possible to achieve common-sense solutions to the issues that Virginia faces in the 21st century.
Education, Transportation and Privileges and Elections.
I'm open to whatever possibilities that may present itself.
I'm open to whatever possibilities that may present itself.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2017
Ballotpedia candidate survey
Cole participated in a survey created by Ballotpedia. The survey was designed to let our readers know more about the candidates and feel confident that they are voting for the best person to represent them. The survey questions appear bolded, and Cole's responses follow below.
| “ | The citizens of VA HOD 28[8] | ” |
| —Joshua G. Cole | ||
| “ | The primary job of a state legislator is to act as a voice for your constituents and to ensure legislation is passed that activiely[8] | ” |
| —Joshua G. Cole | ||
| “ | My goal as a representative of Virginia's 28th House District is to improve the standard of living, reduce gridlock traffic, modernize our school systems, and ensure equality in Virginia.[8] | ” |
| —Joshua G. Cole | ||
| “ | We've let access to health care become a fiscal debate rather than talking about the problem in the correct context, as a human rights issue. In the richest and most technologically advanced nation on Earth, it's not acceptable that 45,000 Americans die every year because they cannot afford health care, according to the American Journal of Public Health. We need to accept the $10.8 billion for Medicaid expansion in Virginia that has been revoked by State Republicans. Virginia's General Assembly is responsible for either making health care affordable for all citizens or constructing a public "Medicare-for-all" single payer system.[8] | ” |
| —Joshua G. Cole | ||
| “ | Virginia's General Assembly continues to treat women as second-class citizens by refusing to enforce equal-pay-for-equal work, guarantee access to birth control, defunding Planned Parenthood, and mandating employers only offer unpaid-maternal leave for new mothers. We must fight to ensure women are equal and empowered members of Virginia's workforce, communities, and government bodies. Virginia's legislature must take an active role in enforcing equality between genders.[8] | ” |
| —Joshua G. Cole | ||
| “ | Our education system is in dire straits. We cannot afford to make cuts to our schools and universities. America cannot remain a leader in science, technology, and business if we fail to invest in our children. Teachers receive inadequate compensation for their critical role in society and college students are left with crippling debt. We need to build a cutting-edge public-school system that prepares all young Virginians for the workforce. Our Commonwealth's General Assembly needs to treat the education of young Virginians as an investment. We must increase the funding and overall quality of public schools in Virginia.[8] | ” |
| —Joshua G. Cole | ||
| “ | Both fracking and the Atlantic Coast pipeline project are environmental risks that are both economically dangerous gambles. It would be difficult to argue fracking and natural gas pipelines do not have immediate economic benefits. Both projects and their industries provide jobs to Virginians and will allow energy companies to grow. However, this short-term economic growth cannot compare to the environmental impacts caused by these practices, nor will the jobs they provide to construction workers and plant operators be permanent. Virginian's government has claimed the investment in the two pipeline projects and the ongoing fracking that has allowed Dominion to access massive amounts of natural gas to be a step towards ensuring Virginians energy independence. Ironically, the Commonwealth invested money into nonrenewable forms of energy instead of offering massive tax deductibles to citizens for outfitting roofs with solar panels. Not only would solar panel installation and upkeep create sustainable careers for Virginians working-class, but would take many houses off the electrical grid, allowing our citizens to be fully self-sufficient. The pipeline projects and refusal to ban fracking are little more than corporate handouts. Our legislature has once again bailed out big business instead of fighting for the hard-working taxpayers. We need a leader in Richmond who will fight the money and the "power" back in the pockets of the citizens of the Commonwealth.[8] | ” |
| —Joshua G. Cole | ||
| “ | District gerrymandering in Virginia has threatened the legitimacy of our democracy. The outcomes of our elections have more relation to the maps drawn by politicians than the will of the voters. We must put take the power of redistricting out of the hands of partisans and put it in the hands of an independent committee. The voters should be selecting their representative, not the representatives picking their voters.[8] | ” |
| —Joshua G. Cole | ||
| “ | Virginia needs commonsense gun regulations, but must respect the Second Amendment. The job of our government is to keep its citizens safe, whether that be allowing guns for hunting and personal defense or taking guns out of the hands of the mental unstable.[8] | ” |
| —Joshua G. Cole | ||
| “ | Virginia desperately needs to reform the tax code. Corporate conglomerates and monopolies deduct millions in tax breaks and loopholes while the majority of Virginia worry about how their taxes will move them into an tax bracket they cannot afford or even worse keep them from putting food on the table. The tax code is utterly broken and must be fixed. Our government must put the people first, not corporate interests or the providing extra tax incentives to the "job-creating" elites.[8] | ” |
| —Joshua G. Cole | ||
| “ | According to the Economic Policy Institute, the top 1% of Virginians make 17.7 times more than the bottom 99%. Hard-working Virginians struggle to pay their mortgages, medical expenses, and grocery bills, while big businesses receive corporate tax cuts. Virginia's working-poor increasingly need food stamps to survive. We need to create jobs that pay livable wages and allow our citizens to support their families. No human deserves to go hungry while others live in luxury. Virginian's General Assembly must take a leading role in ensuring that hard-working Virginians are able to receive appropriate compensation for their labor. Virginia needs to make gradual increases to the minimum wage to ensure that no working Virginia is in poverty.[8] | ” |
| —Joshua G. Cole | ||
| “ | Social and racial tensions have highlighted problems deeply ingrained in our country. Mass incarceration, racism, economic inequality, and social stratification have kept so many Virginians from reaching their maximum potential. We need criminal justice system that is fair and just for all citizens. Reform will only come if we have a government that will fight for everyone. Our General Assembly needs to condemn racism and work to integrate our communities and school systems. Our representatives must fight for progress.[8] | ” |
| —Joshua G. Cole | ||
Candidate website
Cole’s campaign website highlighted the following issues:[9]
| “ |
Education
As a lifelong resident of Stafford County, Joshua personally knows the struggles and issues that face the 28th House District. Joshua is seeking your vote in order to properly represent those whom politicians have forgotten and looked over. He seeks to be their voice, a voice of change and new direction for all people in the 28th District. Justice System Reform
As a lifelong resident of Stafford County, Joshua personally knows the struggles and issues that face the 28th House District. Joshua is seeking your vote in order to properly represent those whom politicians have forgotten and looked over. He seeks to be their voice, a voice of change and new direction for all people in the 28th District. Healthcare
As a lifelong resident of Stafford County, Joshua personally knows the struggles and issues that face the 28th House District. Joshua is seeking your vote in order to properly represent those whom politicians have forgotten and looked over. He seeks to be their voice, a voice of change and new direction for all people in the 28th District. Economic Development & Environmental Protections
As a lifelong resident of Stafford County, Joshua personally knows the struggles and issues that face the 28th House District. Joshua is seeking your vote in order to properly represent those whom politicians have forgotten and looked over. He seeks to be their voice, a voice of change and new direction for all people in the 28th District. [8] |
” |
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.
Endorsements
2017
In 2017, Cole’s endorsements included the following:
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.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 13 to February 8.
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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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See also
2023 Elections
External links
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Candidate Virginia House of Delegates District 65 |
Officeholder Virginia House of Delegates District 65 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Appeals court won’t block Republican from House of Delegates over ballot mixup," January 10, 2018
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 jgcole.org, "About Joshua Cole," accessed August 11, 2017
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Information submitted on Ballotpedia’s biographical information submission form on October 1, 2019
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 8.12 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ jgcole.org, "Issues," accessed August 11, 2017
- ↑ Washington Post, "Democratic group endorses seven candidates under age 35 in Virginia delegate races," June 27, 2017
- ↑ People for the American Way, "Next Up Victory Fund Endorses in Virginia," August 29, 2017
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lee Ware (R) |
Virginia House of Delegates District 65 2024-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by Robert Thomas Jr. (R) |
Virginia House of Delegates District 28 2020-2022 |
Succeeded by Tara Durant (R) |
