 In the contest for four vacancies, Cohen was unsuccessful finishing sixth out of 13 candidates with 7,922 votes his election campaign having been overshadowed by media criticism of the Portelet development, a redevelopment initially approved in 2005 before Cohen's tenure as Planning Minister.Ironical, in November 2011 the Portelet development received the 'Best apartment development in the British Isles' gold award presented at Grosvenor House .Prior to his election to the States of Jersey, Cohen held elected office in the Municipality of the parish of St John; serving as Constable's Officer, Centenier and Rates Assessor.