Costello: ‘We have a lieutenant governor who’s not leading’

"Change" has become a catchphrase for every politician from the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, to Vermont's Republican governor, Jim Douglas. 

But change is something Thomas ‘Tom' Costello, a Brattleboro attorney and former Democratic state representative, takes very seriously.

"We had no one running for lieutenant governor at the time," Costello said in an interview with PoltickerVT.com Thursday. "I thought I could make a difference in the present administration, and this was the place I could do it."

Costello, who celebrated his 63rd birthday Thursday, has lived in the Green Mountain State all of his life.  He grew up in Rutland before moving to Brattleboro where he raised his family and started his own law firm.

In the mid-1970s, Costello had just returned from law school and said he "felt I could make a difference" in the state, so he decided to run for a spot in Vermont's legislature.

After leaving the state House in 1980, Costello took a 14 year break from public life before deciding to run again for state representative after a seat in the two person district opened up.  Over his three consecutive terms in the House, he chaired the Judiciary Committee for two of them and then chaired the General, Housing and Military Veterans Committee (he is a decorated Vietnam veteran).

While serving his second stint in the legislature, Costello also worked hand-in-hand with House Speaker and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gaye Symington to pass the 1996 property tax reform bill. The experience could be crucial if both candidates win the seats they're seeking.

Eight years after his last term in Vermont's legislature, Costello decided the timing was right to pursue the state's No. 2 spot.

"We have a lieutenant governor who's not leading," Costello said.  "He hasn't shown leadership and that's where I can have a positive role."

Costello added that even the gridlock caused by partisanship can be overcome by a strong leader, which he said has been accomplished before.

Though Costello knew he would have to face a Democratic primary race against Nate Freeman on September 9, he was not deterred from running. Nor was he deterred by the prospect of his first statewide campaign.

"I've been to the corners of this state and I love every bit of it," Costello said. "I look forward to campaigning. It's so exhilarating to get out there and listen. It's so humbling also, as a Vermonter to go out and hear people's fears and hopes."

In the end, the prospect of making a positive difference for Vermonters fuels Costello's decisions.

"You think of blessings of this great state, and you realize you're lucky you have all these things," he said. "If you can give a little back, then you do."