5/28/2010
CHARLESTON, W.Va - Gov. Joe Manchin today announced that he has selected Bill Cole of Bluefield to be appointed to the 24th District West Virginia House of Delegates to fill the vacancy left by John Shott, who on May 18, was selected to fill the 10th District Senate seat due to the passing of Don Caruth.
In a letter received today, the Mercer County Republican Executive Committee submitted three names to the governor: William “Bill” Paul Cole III, Marty Gearheart and Byron Satterfield. The governor commended the committee for submitting three qualified candidates to fill the House seat.
“I am very pleased that Bill has accepted this great opportunity to get involved in public service. Bill brings tremendous business sense and a strong customer-service attitude to the job, which will enable him to serve the citizens of Mercer County well and add even more value to the Legislature,” said the governor.
By state code, the governor must fill the vacant seat with a person who resides in the same House district and has the same political party affiliation as his/her predecessor.
Bill Cole said, “I am pleased and honored to have been selected by the governor to fill John Shott’s vacated House seat. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Charleston. I promise to continue the excellent work that John Shott has begun and also wish him well in his move to the Senate. I believe the governor has done an incredible job in strengthening both our state and its image, but we still have a lot of work to do in order to improve our position and I hope to work towards that end. Finally, I am excited with the opportunity to represent the great people of District 24.”
Cole has been resident of Bluefield since 1964. He has operated several businesses in West Virginia and is the current owner of Cole Automotive Group in Bluefield and Bill Cole Nissan Honda in Ashland, Ky.
Cole will serve throughout the remainder of Shott’s term.
Contact Information
Melvin Smith
304-558-2000