Pro-Abortion Pastor Joshua Cole Seeks Reelection as Virginia Delegate

Delegate Joshua Cole is running for re-election in Virginia’s 65th district which encompasses Fredericksburg and parts of Stafford and Spotsylvania County. He is a far-left radical running in a centrist district. His extremist views on unlimited abortion without any restrictions don’t represent a majority of voters in his district—all the more egregious coming from a man who claims to be a pastor.

Radically Pro-Abortion

Virginia has some of the most radical pro-abortion laws in the nation. There are no restrictions for abortion through 27 weeks. During weeks 28 through birth, if the mother seeks an abortion, she only needs to claim substantial mental distress and get two additional physicians to sign off on the procedure to kill the baby. If Joshua Cole got his way, he’d even remove those minor restrictions.

Not only does Cole not want any restrictions on abortion, but he also wants to enshrine the right to kill pre-born babies without any limitations into the state constitution.

At 26 weeks of age a baby’s eyes are opening and if a light shines on the mother’s belly, the baby will react because it can see the light. Its lungs are fully formed, it has hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. There is no doubt it can feel pain. Yet Del. Cole prominently advocates for no restrictions to be able to kill this human being—promising to stand against any law that would protect the baby.

Mariah and Milan, pictured below, are twins who were born at 26 weeks. Joshua Cole advocates for laws making it legal to kill these precious babies.

The blasphemous pastor also completely misquoted the Bible in an attempt to justify killing babies. He claimed because God gives people choices, legislators shouldn’t oppose choice for abortion.

“Father” Cole should read the full context of scripture. Deuteronomy 30:19 says, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.”

In a social media post, Cole mocked “white evangelical pastors” who shared their concerns with him over his pro-abortion, pro-transgender views. There is no indication Cole went to seminary or received a degree in theology. He is a “Priest in the Union of Charismatic Orthodox Churches and leads the House of Clergy.” Perhaps his curriculum didn’t include a study of Isaiah 5:20, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil . . . .”

Other Radical Positions

Cole’s delegate seat is a top target for Republicans in the goal of regaining the majority in the Virginia House of Delegates. If Republicans can get the message out about Cole’s extremism, Republican candidate Sean Steinway has a shot of defeating him. Steinway is a Marine Corps veteran, former police officer, and now a small business owner.

Cole’s views are certainly not centrist. In 2025, he voted to adopt legislative language that used the term “birthing individual” rather than woman.

He is a prolific social media user and in one of his X posts he claims the phrase “Jesus is Lord” is “subtle racist MAGA language.”

“Jesus is Lord” has been co-opted and is subtle racist MAGA language. Argue with ya momma….

— Delegate Joshua Cole (@JoshuaCole) October 22, 2024

In 2025 Cole criticized Virginia Sen. Tara Durant for declaring a run for Congress. Yet Cole himself has been running for different offices since 2017, well before Durant entered politics in 2021. Pastor Cole may want to review scripture such as Matthew 7:5, “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Cole has a disturbing focus on race throughout his social media.

Prior to the 2024 presidential election he said, “A week from tomorrow… we make the Office of the President a Black job again!!!”

A week from tomorrow… we make the Office of the President a Black job again!!! 🙏🏾

— Delegate Joshua Cole (@JoshuaCole) October 28, 2024

The day after Kamala Harris lost the presidential election, Cole said “the most disrespected person in America is the Black woman.”

Cole posted a picture of a group of people praying over President Trump with the comment, “I only see one speck of pepper in this whole group.”

I only see one speck of pepper in this whole group…. 🥴 https://t.co/WUQQ5wS3zO

— Delegate Joshua Cole (@JoshuaCole) October 25, 2024

Joshua Cole holds radical views that seem way out of alignment with his district. If his opponent can take advantage of Cole’s own words, Virginia could end up with one less radical in the House of Delegates.