Thomas W. Costello
Encyclopedia
Thomas W. Costello is a politician from the U.S. state of Vermont
. He served in the Vermont House of Representatives
from 1976 to 1980, and from 1994 to 2000.
, where he grew up. He graduated from Mount St. Joseph High School in 1963. He graduated from Saint Michael's College
in Burlington
in 1968; he went on to earn his law degree from Boston University Law School in 1974. He has four brothers, including Admiral Barry M. Costello
.
and served in the Vietnam War
. He was in combat and received a Bronze Star
with a Combat V for valor and a Purple Heart
. Costello served in the period between his graduation from Saint Michael's and his enrollment at Boston University Law School.
for Rutland City from 1976–80, when he moved to Brattleboro, Vermont
. He served three additional terms in the legislature from 1994 through 2000, representing the Town of Brattleboro. During his five terms in the House, Costello was the Chair of the Judiciary Committee (from 1994 though 1998) and Chair of the Committee on General, Housing & Military affairs (from 1999 through 2000).
in the general election.
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
. He served in the Vermont House of Representatives
Vermont House of Representatives
The Vermont House of Representatives is the lower house of the Vermont General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Vermont. The House comprises 150 members. Vermont legislative districting divides representing districts into 66 single-member districts and 42 two-member...
from 1976 to 1980, and from 1994 to 2000.
Early life and education
Thomas Costello, the son of Bartley and Catherine Costello, was born in Rutland, VermontRutland (town), Vermont
Rutland is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 4,054 at the 2010 census. Rutland completely surrounds the city of Rutland, which is incorporated separately from the town of Rutland.-History:...
, where he grew up. He graduated from Mount St. Joseph High School in 1963. He graduated from Saint Michael's College
Saint Michael's College
Saint Michael's College is a private, residential liberal arts Catholic college. The campus is located in Colchester, Vermont. It was founded in 1904 by the Society of Saint Edmund, a French order of Catholic priests.-History:...
in Burlington
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the shire town of Chittenden County. Burlington lies south of the U.S.-Canadian border and some south of Montreal....
in 1968; he went on to earn his law degree from Boston University Law School in 1974. He has four brothers, including Admiral Barry M. Costello
Barry M. Costello
Vice Admiral Barry M. Costello was the Commander, US Third Fleet of the United States Navy , May 2005 - May 2007.-Biography:He is native of Rutland, Vermont. He attended College of the Holy Cross and was commissioned an Ensign through the NROTC Program in 1973...
.
Military service
From 1968 through 1971 Costello was an officer (First Lieutenant) in the United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and served in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. He was in combat and received a Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with a Combat V for valor and a Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
. Costello served in the period between his graduation from Saint Michael's and his enrollment at Boston University Law School.
Legal career
Costello has practiced law since he graduated law school. He practiced at Webber & Costello in Rutland from 1974 until 1980, when he moved to Brattleboro. From 1980 to 1983 he practiced with Elliot Barber at Barber & Costello. He then started his own firm, Costello Law Offices, where he practices to this day. He served on the Vermont Advisory Committee of Civil Rules from 1988 until 1991 and on the Special Committee on Judicial Retention and Confirmation in 1990. He later served on Vermont's Judicial Nominating Committee from 1998-2002. He served on the Vermont Trial Lawyers Association Board of Governors from 1990-97.Political career
Costello was a representative in the Vermont House of RepresentativesVermont House of Representatives
The Vermont House of Representatives is the lower house of the Vermont General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Vermont. The House comprises 150 members. Vermont legislative districting divides representing districts into 66 single-member districts and 42 two-member...
for Rutland City from 1976–80, when he moved to Brattleboro, Vermont
Brattleboro, Vermont
Brattleboro, originally Brattleborough, is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States, located in the southeast corner of the state, along the state line with New Hampshire. The population was 12,046 at the 2010 census...
. He served three additional terms in the legislature from 1994 through 2000, representing the Town of Brattleboro. During his five terms in the House, Costello was the Chair of the Judiciary Committee (from 1994 though 1998) and Chair of the Committee on General, Housing & Military affairs (from 1999 through 2000).
2008 Election
On September 9, 2008 Costello faced off against Nate Freeman, a local businessman in the primary. Amid a low turn out Costello won with 61% of the vote but lost to incumbent Republican Brian DubieBrian Dubie
Brian E. Dubie is an American politician and former 78th Lieutenant Governor of Vermont. He served four terms as Vermont’s lieutenant governor...
in the general election.