Sheryl Cole is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives representing District 46 in Travis County, including communities like East Austin, Manor, and Pflugerville. Born August 16, 1964, she assumed office on January 8, 2019, succeeding Dawnna Dukes after winning the 2018 Democratic primary runoff and general election. Notable achievements include serving as Austin's first African American female Mayor Pro Tempore during three terms on the Austin City Council , leading efforts for affordable housing bonds passed by voters in 2012, advocating for marriage equality as the first Texas city to publicly support it, and addressing pay disparities and reentry for the formerly incarcerated. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the House Administration Committee, Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee, and the County & Regional Government Subcommittee, and is a member of the House Democratic Caucus, Texas Legislative Black Caucus , Texas Women’s Health Caucus, and LGBTQ Caucus. Married to Kevin Cole, she raised three sons—Marcus, Nelson, and Femi—and is an active member of David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin.
• Political Experience:
  • Texas House of Representatives, District 46 .
  • Austin City Council, At-Large Place 6 , including Mayor Pro Tempore.
  • Tri-Chair, Austin Independent School District Bond Committee .
  • Additional roles: Leadership Austin , Austin Area Urban League , Communities in Schools , City of Austin Bond Committee , Texas Municipal League Board of Directors, Planned Parenthood Board of Directors.