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John W. Costello

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American attorney and politician (1927–2020)

John W. Costello
Costello in the 1960s
Member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council from the 3rd District
In office
1961–1965
Preceded byEdward J. Cronin
Succeeded byGeorge F. Cronin, Jr.
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 18th Suffolk district
In office
1951–1961
Preceded byJames J. Craven, Jr.
Succeeded byStephen Davenport
Personal details
BornApril 20, 1927
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedSeptember 11, 2020 (aged 93)
Weston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Resting placeLinwood Cemetery
Weston, Massachusetts
Political partyDemocratic Party
Alma materCollege of the Holy Cross
Suffolk University
OccupationLawyer

John W. Costello was an American attorney and politician who served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, the Massachusetts Governor's Council, and was the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts in 1964.

Early life

Costello was born on April 30, 1927, in Boston. He graduated from Cathedral High School and went on to attend the College of the Holy Cross, where he majored in political science, played end for the Holy Cross Crusaders football team, and was a member of the school's swim team.

Political career

Massachusetts House of Representatives

In 1950, while a senior at Holy Cross, Costello ran for one of the 18th Suffolk district seats in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The 18th Suffolk district consisted of Costello's home neighborhood of Jamaica Plain, as well as Forest Hills and Roslindale. During the final month of the primary race, he practiced football in the afternoon and campaigned at night. He finished second out of sixteen candidates in the Democratic primary, which secured him a spot on the general election ballot and, due to the 18th Suffolk being a strong Democratic district, was tantamount to election. During his first year in the legislature, Costello attended class during the day, worked at the state house during the afternoon, and studied at night. Costello remained in the House for ten years and for a time was a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. While a member of the House, Costello earned a law degree from the Suffolk University Law School.

Massachusetts Governor's Council

In 1961, he was selected by the Massachusetts General Court to fill a vacancy on the Massachusetts Governor's Council caused by Edward J. Cronin's appointment as clerk of the Newton District Court. He was chosen over fellow representative Anthony Colonna 25 votes to 5 in the Senate and 125 to 99 in the House. Costello was elected to the Council in his own right in 1962 and reelected in 1964.

Campaigns for lieutenant governor

On May 18, 1964, Costello announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor. He was one of fourteen candidates going into the Democratic convention and won the party's endorsement on the fifth ballot by defeating Worcester attorney and Industrial Accident Board member Joseph E. McGuire 724 votes to 691 after five rounds of balloting. None of Costello's convention opponents chose to run in the primary, and he won the nomination unopposed. In the general election, Costello was defeated by Republican Elliot Richardson 50% to 49%.

In 1966, Costello was again a candidate for lieutenant governor. However, this time the convention endorsement was won by McGuire, who defeated Costello, John J. McGlynn, and John F. Dever Jr. after only two rounds balloting. Costello chose to drop out of the race after the convention.

Attempted comeback

In 1998, Costello ran for his old seat on the Governor's Council. He finished fifth in an eight-candidate Democratic primary.

Death

Costello died on September 11, 2020, at his home in Weston, Massachusetts. His wife, Orry Ann (Kelly) Costello, predeceased him by hours.

See also

References

  1. Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1963-64. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  2. ^ Kaese, Harold (November 30, 1950). "H.C. Figures It Has Answer to Threadgold--Filibuster by Costello". The Boston Daily Globe.
  3. ^ "John W. Costello". The Boston Globe. June 21, 1964.
  4. ^ "John Costello In Race for Lt. Governor". The Boston Globe. May 19, 1964.
  5. Lewis, William J. (January 24, 1961). "Senate Backs Costello For Governor's Council". The Boston Globe.
  6. Lewis, William (January 25, 1961). "House Votes Council Seat To Costello". The Boston Globe.
  7. Hanron, Robert B. (June 21, 1964). "Democrats Wind It Up". The Boston Globe.
  8. Election Statistics of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1964. 1964. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  9. Lydon, Christopher (June 12, 1966). "Bellotti, McGuire Win For 'Mac-Mac' Ticket Top". The Boston Globe.
  10. "John W. Costello (D)". PD43 +. Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  11. "John W. Costello". Legacy.com. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
Party political offices
Preceded byFrancis Bellotti Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
1964 		Succeeded byJoseph E. McGuire
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