“I actually met my wife, Christy, campaigning in Springfield on my father’s campaign. She started by volunteering for one day. But, that quickly turned into five days. That was the beginning of a lasting relationship. We hit all the state fairs and picnics that summer in our McNary t‐shirts. I always made a point of visiting the dunking booths ‐ back then, I could throw strikes.
Unfortunately, my dad lost the election, but it was a personal victory for Christy and me. Eventually we married. We’ve joked at times that it was a politically‐arranged marriage. It wasn’t, but we have been married for twenty‐four years.”
- Cole
Cole spent the last year and a half running for State Treasurer. He ran on a platform of transparency, government efficiency and state pension reform. The topic of our unsustainable state pensions is not a popular one, however, Cole didn’t shy away from the issue and has brought it much needed attention. Over the course of a hard fought campaign, Cole earned over 1.2 million votes in a narrow defeat against incumbent treasurer Clint Zweifel.
From 2008-2012, Cole McNary served as a State Representative representing part of western St. Louis County, primarily Chesterfield, in the former 86th District.
While serving in the state capitol, Cole founded the Downsizing State Government Committee in 2008 and served as the chairman throughout his tenure as State Representative. Tirelessly fighting for taxpayers, Cole has cut bloated state budgets, at times against the wishes of those in his own party.
Prior to joining the House, Cole worked as a school teacher, most recently for St. John Vianney High School. Following a career in the private sector handling business analysis and sales duties, he shifted his path towards an academic career where he could focus on classroom instruction in the disciplines of mathematics and physics.
Cole is a member of United Methodist Church of Green Trails in Chesterfield and the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce.
An alumnus of Lindbergh High School in St. Louis County, Cole graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. in Aviation Management and received a MBA from Saint Louis University. He also earned a Teaching Certificate in Physics from University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Born July 10, 1964, Cole lives in Chesterfield with his wife of 24 years, Christy, whom he met while campaigning for his father, Gene McNary. Cole and Christy have three children: Shannon, Courtney and Mitchell.