Costello announces for GOP nomination in the 119th Legislative District

WRIGHT TWP. — Jim Costello, a Wilkes-Barre Area schoolteacher and former executive director of the Keystone State Games, Friday announced that he is a candidate for the Republican nomination for state representative in the 119th Legislative District.

Costello, 44 of Wright Township, made the announcement on his Facebook page and later Friday afternoon he issued a news release.

Costello outlined his low tax, pro-jobs, values-first agenda. He is seeking the Republican nomination in the May 17 primary election. The seat is currently held by Democrat Gerald Mullery of Newport Township.

“As state representative, I will work tirelessly — as I have my entire career — to expand opportunities for working families across Luzerne County,” Costello said. “That’s my passion. “Luzerne County is a great place to live, work and raise a family and I’ll ensure we have the leadership necessary to create new jobs and attract new businesses for this generation and the next.”

“If you believe, like I do, that we can, we must, and we will do better, then join us at www.votejimcostello.com,” he said.

While focused on job creation and economic development, Costello made it clear he understands, first-hand from his term on the Crestwood School Board, that school property taxes must be eliminated and replace the funding with a system that is fairer and more equitable for working families and seniors across Pennsylvania.

“Other states have figured out how to properly fund education at a cost their residents can afford.” Costello said. “A re-vamped funding system for public education, done appropriately, will not only lessen the burden on seniors, but will also provide school districts and, most importantly, teachers, with the resources needed to provide the greatest possible educational experience for students. As part of this reform, we must always ensure parents have the strongest say in their children’s education. While serving on the school board, I continuously led efforts to ensure parents were heard and their views were respected.”

While on the school board, Costello said he worked hard to prioritize the needs of children and their parents, teachers and the taxpayers who fund schools. He added that he also fought the one-size-fits-all mentality being “forced down from Harrisburg,” including school shutdowns, mask requirements and other unfunded mandates that hurt local property taxpayers. As State Representative, he said he will champion individual rights and limited government, and serve as a conservative who understands that local residents already pay enough.

“During the pandemic it became clear that parents want a stronger voice in the decisions that affect their children’s education,” her said. “I fully support this objective and as a member of the Crestwood School Board, I regularly led efforts to ensure parents views were heard and respected.”

Costello said he resigned from his position as executive director of the Keystone State Games in October and he will stay on as a consultant for 2022. The games are scheduled to be held in Luzerne County this year, he said.

“We want to do what’s good for the community,” he said.

Costello is an educator currently in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District where he has more than 20 years of educational experience preparing children for their future. He also serves as a volunteer football coach at Nanticoke High School and most recently as head wrestling coach at Crestwood High School.

“As a teacher and small business owner, I witnessed how Gov. Wolf’s response to the pandemic devastated Pennsylvania’s economy and schools, especially hurting restaurants and other small business owners throughout our community,” said Costello. “I supported the Republican legislative majorities in the State House and Senate who united with citizens across the Commonwealth to rein in the dictatorial and heavy-handed approach by the governor to manage the pandemic. I believe there is more to be done, and as a representative in the General Assembly, I will fight to ensure we are never subjected to such tyranny again.”

Focus on jobs, property taxes

Costello said he believes all Pennsylvanians, regardless of political party, want the Commonwealth, and its leaders, to focus on doing better for all families.

“That means retaining and attracting good paying jobs, finding the right solution to eliminate property taxes while properly funding our schools, cutting wasteful spending to protect taxpayers, defending our freedoms and upholding our northeast conservative values,” Costello said.

Costello said if there will be change for the better in Pennsylvania, it’s going to be done by bringing NEPA values to the hallways and debate floor of the Capitol in Harrisburg.

“I’m value and solution driven,” he said. “That’s why I’m running — not to beat a political opponent — I’m running to put our families, businesses, and region first again.”

Costello said he and his family also run a small sports-related family business that focuses on keeping people physically active throughout their lives.

As state representative, Costello said he knows there is nothing more important than the integrity of our elections.

“In order to restore confidence in our election process, Republicans and Democrats must work together to ensure commonsense reforms that demand identical, consistent and transparent rules for voting and counting votes across all 67 counties in Pennsylvania,” Costello said. “I support voter identification, which is supported by an overwhelming majority of state residents.

“As your state representative, I will support commonsense election reforms to restore the public’s trust in our process. I will also lead on reforming state government to put people before politics.”

Costello resides in Mountain Top with his wife Amanda and their two daughters Chloe and Madison. As a strong constitutional conservative, Costello said he is pro-Second Amendment and a family man who is devoted to the principles and values he learned growing up in Northeast Pennsylvania.

“I look forward to meeting families across the district while I’m campaigning door-to-door throughout the winter and spring,” Costello said.