Mark Costello (Oklahoma politician)

Mark Costello (November 10, 1955 – August 23, 2015) was an American politician and businessman who served as Commissioner of Labor of Oklahoma from 2011 to 2015. A Republican, he was elected in 2010, defeating the Democratic incumbent, Lloyd Fields. Before his election he was a businessman who founded several technology companies.[1]

Mark Costello
Oklahoma Labor Commissioner
In office
January 10, 2011 – August 23, 2015
Preceded byLloyd Fields
Succeeded byMelissa Houston
Personal details
Born(1955-11-10)November 10, 1955
Bartlesville, Oklahoma, U.S.
DiedAugust 23, 2015(2015-08-23) (aged 59)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Resting placeLockridge Cemetery
Edmond, Oklahoma, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Cathy Cerkey
​
(m. 1982)​
Children5

After taking office, he established a non-profit advocacy group to oppose the positions of public employee unions,[2] and fought federal regulations on family farms.[3]

Personal life

Costello was born in Bartlesville and graduated from College High School, then attended the University of Kansas while working summers on oil rigs in the North Sea. He married Cathy Cerkey in 1982; they had five children.[4]

Costello founded American Computer & Telephone (AMCAT) in 1991, a telephone software company based in Oklahoma City. AMCAT was sold in 2007. He founded another telecommunications company, USA Digital Communications, in 1997.[4] He identified as Catholic and pro-life, and was a member of the National Rifle Association.[5]

Death

Costello was fatally stabbed by his son, Christian, on August 23, 2015, at a Braum's restaurant in Oklahoma City. His son was arrested following the incident, and was reported to have a history of mental illness.[6][7][8] In 2018, Christian Costello was declared not guilty by reason of insanity, and was committed to a state mental hospital.[9]

Election results
  • July 27, 2010 Republican Primary[10]
Candidate Votes %
  Mark Costello 127,413 57.06%
  Jason Reese 95,869 42.94%
  • November 2, 2010 General Election[11]
Candidate Votes %
  Mark Costello 649,748 64.17%
  Lloyd Fields 362,805 35.83%
  • November 4, 2014 General Election[12]
Candidate Votes %
  Mark Costello 504,307 62.8%
  Mike Workman 299,284 37.2%

References
  1. Susan Simpson, "Oklahoma elections: Costello wins primary, will meet Fields for labor commission spot", The Oklahoman, July 28, 2013.
  2. Randy Krehbiel, "Labor commissioner takes aim at public employee unions", Tulsa World, September 13, 2011 (pay site).
  3. "Okla. Labor Comm. says US rules attack rural farms", boston.com, November 30, 2011.
  4. "Oklahoma Agencies, Boards, and Commissions: Elected Officers, Cabinet, Legislature, High Courts, and Institutions", Oklahoma Department of Libraries, September 1, 2012.
  5. "SW Oklahoma Republican Women to host Costello at Tuesday meeting", altustimes.com, April 2010.
  6. Sharpton, Bethany (August 24, 2015), Christian Costello: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Oklahoma City: heavy.com
  7. Sharpton, Bethany (August 24, 2015), "Oklahoma State Labor Commissioner killed in stabbing at northwest Oklahoma City restaurant", KOCO TV 5, Oklahoma City: Ohio/Oklahoma Hearst Television Inc, retrieved 2015-08-24
  8. Holly Yan and Amanda Watts (August 24, 2015). "Oklahoma's labor commissioner fatally stabbed by son, police say". CNN. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  9. Schwab, Kyle (April 18, 2018). "Christian Costello found not guilty by reason of insanity in death of state labor commissioner". The Oklahoman. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  10. "SUMMARY RESULTS: Primary Election – July 27, 2010". ok.gov. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  11. "SUMMARY RESULTS: General Election – November 2, 2010". ok.gov. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  12. "SUMMARY RESULTS: General Election – November 4, 2014". ok.gov. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
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