Mark Costello (Oklahoma)
Mark Costello was a commissioner of labor in Oklahoma. A Republican, he was first elected to the office on November 2, 2010, and assumed office on January 10, 2011. Costello won re-election to a second term in 2014. Costello served until his death from multiple stab wounds on August 23, 2015. He passed away at an Oklahoma City hospital where he was taken after being attacked by his son, Christian Costello. Christian Costello was arrested outside Braum's ice cream and fast-food restaurant, where the attack occurred, and booked on a first-degree murder complaint.[1][2]
"Oklahoma has lost a dedicated public servant and a good man," Governor Mary Fallin (R) said in a statement after Costello's untimely death. Fallin ordered all flags on Oklahoma lands to be lowered to half-staff as a symbol of mourning for the state's late labor commissioner and father of five.[1]
Biography
A businessman by profession, Costello founded AMCAT, a telephone software company, in 1984. Costello sold AMCAT in 2007 and went on to found several technology companies.[3]
Education
- Attended, University of Kansas
- Graduated, Bartlesville College
Political career
Oklahoma commissioner of labor (2011-2015)
Costello took office as Oklahoma Commissioner of Labor in January 2011. He was first elected in 2010 and won a second term in November 2014.[3]
Costello served until his death on August 23, 2015. The Oklahoma Department of Labor posted this statement on its website following his passing:
| “ | Mark Costello was a tremendous leader, colleague and most importantly friend to all of those at the Oklahoma Department of Labor. Our hearts ache as an agency for this tragic event and our department grieves for his family during this very difficult time. We ask for your prayers and respect for the family of Commissioner Costello.[4] | ” |
| —Jim Marshall, Chief of Staff, Oklahoma Department of Labor[5] | ||
Elections
2014
Costello ran for re-election as Oklahoma Commissioner of Labor in 2014. Costello won the Republican nomination in the unopposed primary on June 24. The general election took place on November 4, 2014.[6]
Results
General election
| Oklahoma Labor Commissioner, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Mark Costello Incumbent |
62.8% | 504,307 | |
| Democratic | Mike Workman | 37.2% | 299,284 | |
| Total Votes | 803,591 | |||
| Election results via Oklahoma State Election Board | ||||
2010
Costello won election as labor commissioner in the November 2010 election, defeating Democratic candidate Lloyd L. Fields.[7]
| Oklahoma Commissioner of Labor, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Mark Costello |
64.2% | 649,748 | |
| Democratic | Lloyd L. Fields Incumbent | 35.8% | 362,805 | |
| Total Votes | 1,012,553 | |||
| Election results via Oklahoma State Election Board | ||||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Costello had five children with his wife, Cathy Costello. They lived in Edmond, Okla.[3]
Recent news
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See also
| Oklahoma | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
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External links
- Oklahoma Department of Labor
- Oklahoma Department of Labor, "Mark Costello, Commissioner of Labor"
- Project Vote Smart biography
- Twitter, "Mark Costello"
- Facebook, "Mark Costello for Oklahoma"
- Campaign contributions: 2012, 2010
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Washington Post, "Oklahoma labor commissioner fatally stabbed; adult son arrested for murder," August 24, 2014
- ↑ NBCNews, "Oklahoma labor commissioner Mark Costello stabbed to death allegedly by son," August 24, 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Ok.gov, "Mark Costello," accessed January 28, 2013
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Oklahoma Office of the Department of Labor, "Homepage," accessed August 24, 2015
- ↑ Oklahoma State Election Board, "Candidates for Federal, State, Legislative and Judicial Offices," April 14, 2014
- ↑ Oklahoma State Board of Elections, "November 2010 General Election Results," accessed March 26, 2011
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lloyd Fields (D) |
Oklahoma Commissioner of Labor 2011-2015 |
Succeeded by Melissa McLawhorn Houston (R) |
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