Cole Blease completed his undergraduate education at Newberry College and later graduated from Georgetown University's law department. He began his political career in the South Carolina House of Representatives, quickly rising to significant positions, including mayor of Newberry and governor of South Carolina. Blease's tenure as governor was marked by controversial policies favoring white supremacy and opposing civil rights, including education for African Americans. He later served in the U.S. Senate, where he continued to advocate for segregation and opposed New Deal policies.

Cole Blease's political identity is marked by a rigid adherence to white supremacy and a staunch opposition to civil rights for African Americans, paired with a selective approach to labor and factory reforms. Blease's legislative record reveals an unexpected convergence with opposing factions on environmental regulations, revealing a highly calculated approach to protecting regional industrial interests. His rhetorical style is laced with inflammatory rhetoric, making his stances on race and education particularly striking. Blease's political career showcases a tension between progressive labor laws for women and a regressive stance on racial equality, inviting deeper inquiry into his ideological consistency.