John Martin Costello (January 15, 1903 – August 28, 1976) was an American lawyer and politician who served five terms as a U.S. Representative from California from 1935 to 1945.

John Costello
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 15th district
In office
January 3, 1935 – January 3, 1945
Preceded byWilliam I. Traeger
Succeeded byGordon L. McDonough
Personal details
Born
John Martin Costello

(1903-01-15)January 15, 1903
Los Angeles, California, United States
DiedAugust 28, 1976(1976-08-28) (aged 73)
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Resting placeCalvary Cemetery, Los Angeles, California
Political partyDemocratic
EducationLoyola College of Los Angeles

Early life and career

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Born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Irish immigrants,[1] Costello attended the public schools. He was graduated from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, California, in 1924. He was admitted to the bar the same year and commenced practice in Los Angeles. He was a teacher in Los Angeles secondary schools in 1924 and 1925.

Political career

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He was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the Seventy-third Congress in 1932.

Congress

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Costello was elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-fourth and to the four succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1935 – January 3, 1945). He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1944 to the Seventy-ninth Congress.

Later career

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He served as general counsel and manager of the Washington office of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce from 1945 to 1947. He engaged in the practice of law in Washington, D.C. from 1947 to 1976.

Death

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He died in Las Vegas, Nevada, August 28, 1976. He was interred in Calvary Cemetery, Los Angeles, California.

Electoral history

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1932 United States House of Representatives elections in California[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William I. Traeger 67,390 52.8
Democratic John M. Costello 57,518 45.1
No party Errol Shour (write-in) 2,721 2.1
Total votes 127,663 100.0
Turnout  
Republican win (new seat)
1934 United States House of Representatives elections in California[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John M. Costello 67,247 50.5
Republican William I. Traeger (Incumbent) 65,858 49.5
Total votes 133,161 100.0
Turnout  
Democratic gain from Republican
1936 United States House of Representatives elections in California[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John M. Costello (Incumbent) 99,107 69.0
Republican Ernest Sawyer 44,559 31.0
Total votes 143,718 100.0
Turnout  
Democratic hold
1938 United States House of Representatives elections in California[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John M. Costello (Incumbent) 83,086 60.1
Republican O. D. Thomas 51,483 37.3
Communist Emil Freed 2,951 2.1
Total votes 138,132 100.0
Turnout  
Democratic hold
1940 United States House of Representatives elections in California[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John M. Costello (Incumbent) 94,435 56.2
Republican Norris Nelson 71,667 42.6
Communist Emil Freed 2,004 1.2
Total votes 168,155 100.0
Turnout  
Democratic hold
1942 United States House of Representatives elections in California[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John M. Costello (Incumbent) 88,798 86.1
Prohibition B. Tarkington Dowden 10,185 9.9
Communist Philip Gardner 3,989 3.9
Total votes 103,094 100.0
Turnout  
Democratic hold

See also

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References

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  • United States Congress. "John M. Costello (id: C000795)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 15th congressional district

1935–1945
Succeeded by

  This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress