Cole Jester | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 35th Secretary of State of Arkansas | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2025 | |
| Governor | Sarah Huckabee Sanders |
| Preceded by | John Thurston |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Benton,Arkansas,U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Jester |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Ouachita Baptist University (BA) University of Virginia (JD) |
Cole Jester is an American politician and constitutional lawyer who is currently serving as the 35th secretary of state of Arkansas. [1] He was appointed to the position by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders after his predecessor John Thurston resigned to become state treasurer. [2]
Secretary Jester was appointed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders on January 1,2025. He previously served two years as the Deputy Chief Legal Counsel for Governor Sanders. [3]
Before joining the Governor’s Office,Cole worked for the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. While attending the University of Virginia School of Law,he clerked for the firm of Friday,Eldridge,&Clark,worked for the United States Air Force,and argued criminal cases in Virginia district court. He also served as the Managing Editor of The Journal of Law and Politics,founded in 1983 by Justice Antonin Scalia. [4]
Cole is a Benton,Arkansas native who graduated valedictorian of Benton High School and summa cum laude from Ouachita Baptist University with a degree in Christian Studies as well as political science. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. [5]
