Representative Jim Cole

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Elected in 2004, Republican Representative Jim Cole is presently serving as the legislative voice under the Gold Dome for the constituents of House District 125, which includes Jasper County and parts of Monroe, Jones and Lamar Counties.

Cole’s legislative duties currently include membership on the Appropriations Economic Development Sub-Committee. This sub-committee oversees important areas of the budget, which deal with agriculture, community affairs, economic development and transportation. In addition, Cole serves on the Rules, Judiciary Non-Civil and State Planning and Community Affairs Committees.

Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Cole to serve as Senior Administration Floor Leader in early 2009, having served formerly as the Assistant Floor Leader from 2007-2008.

Growing up in Augusta, Cole attended Mercer University on an academic scholarship where he also played baseball. After graduating with honors, Cole was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers where he played professional baseball until he sustained a career ending injury. In 1997, Cole returned to middle Georgia where he completed his MBA at Mercer University and began Culligan Water of Middle Georgia. After growing the business and opening successful offices in both Macon and Columbus, Cole sold his business and now serves as the Assistant Athletic Director for Mercer University.

Cole is an active community leader throughout the state. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. A graduate of Leadership Georgia, Jim is also a member of Forsyth United Methodist Church, Director for the Georgia Industrial Children’s Home and Executive Director of the Mercer University Athletic Foundation. Jim is happily married to the former Gaylyn Lawson of Forsyth. Jim and Gaylyn reside in Forsyth and are the proud parents of Caroline and Lawson.