David Costello was originally a candidate for U.S. Senate on the June 9 ballot. Read his answers from our primary election survey here.
Personal/biographical information pertinent to the role
Born in Bangor and raised in a working-class family in Old Town. David has more than 25 years of senior-level state, local and federal government experience, both in the United States and abroad.
Top three priorities
Reversing detrimental actions taken by the Trump Administration. Like repealing tax benefits for the wealthy and cuts to Medicaid, the ACA and other social services; and reconstituting critical government agencies, programs and regulations (e.g., USAID, EPA) 2. Establishing universal healthcare and childcare programs. 3. Resurrecting the Freedom to Vote Act and similar legislation to strengthen representative governance and protect against future efforts to undermine American democracy.
Why are you running?
I’m running to defeat Senator Collins and help in ending the Trump Administration’s reckless and often illegal assault on our democracy, environment and economy. Repair the considerable damage already done and enact reforms that protect against future assaults and ensure that all Mainers, not just the wealthy, are provided with the education, job skills, housing, healthcare and other life enriching resources to thrive.
Our recent poll showed that more than half of Maine’s likely voters want Democrats to control Congress, and electability has already been a major issue in this race. Why are you more electable in November than the other candidates?
Having grown up in a working-class family in Maine and having served for 27 years in senior level government positions in the U.S. and abroad; as a top aide to Maine’s Secretary of State, to the Mayor of Baltimore and to the governor of Maryland; as a deputy and acting secretary of Maryland’s DEP; and as a county program manager for USAID/OTI, managing complex multimillion-dollar programs and operations, I believe I have the most fitting background, knowledge and experience to defeat Senator Collins.
What are the highlights of your plan to lower the cost of living for Mainers?
I’d work to lower costs by supporting efforts to end the Trump Administration’s economically disruptive wars and tariffs. I’d also back efforts to lower healthcare, childcare, housing and other costs by supporting passage of Medicare for All and universal childcare in the US; and expanded nutrition and housing assistance programs. Additionally, I’d support enactment of a national living wage ($21+ per hour), stronger collective bargaining protections and expanded social security benefits.
Would you support term limits for members of Congress? Why or why not?
Yes, I’d support imposing 20-year term limits. I believe 20 years is enough time for dedicated legislators to accomplish what they believe is most important and would allow other people a chance to serve and advance new ideas and policies. I’d also support imposing similar term limits on the federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court.
Would you support Medicare for All — expanding the current social program to all Americans? Why or why not?
Absolutely, I’ve supported comprehensive Medicare for All since the 1980s. I not only think that the provision of comprehensive, affordable, and accessible health care is a fundamental human right, it also makes tremendous economic sense for families, businesses and the nation. It would reduce costs for everyone and allow us to compete more effectively globally. Given that literally all our global economic competitors spend less and benefit more from universal forms of healthcare.
Would you support eliminating the filibuster? Why or why not?
Yes, it’s an arcane, undemocratic Senate rule that has too often prevented the implementation of extremely important legislation, including recent Obama and Biden Administration efforts to: expand voter access and security; limit the corrupting influence that money has our politics and government; and more adequately address affordability issues, infrastructure challenges and climate change.
Graham Platner ran on getting money out of politics. If you share this priority, what is your plan to do so?
I would back efforts to overturn Citizens United v. FEC and Buckley v. Valeo (Supreme Court anti-campaign finance limit decisions). And I’d work to resurrect earlier efforts to ban corporate and lobbyist campaign donations, end “dark” money PACs and place stricter limits on all campaign donations generally. I would also support strengthening FEC enforcement and the establishment of a public financing program for federal election candidates.
Do you support an end to U.S. military aid in Israel? Is Israel committing a genocide in Gaza? Why or why not?
I’d support ending aid that is used for offensive purposes, until the government and situation change markedly. Israel had a right and obligation to crush Hamas after its horrific terrorist attack on October 7. However, PM Netanyahu’s (IDF’s) response, which should have been surgical, has been extreme and inhumane, taking actions the UN and other experts have rightly condemned as war crimes, crimes against humanity and acts of genocide. Netanyahu and his allies must be held accountable.
Should ICE exist in its current form? If so, explain your answer. If not, what should exist instead?
No, ICE should be dismantled. It has been expanded for largely political, not security or public safety reasons by the Trump Administration, and its ill-conceived actions are causing great harm to families and communities in the U.S. Its reconstitution should only be considered if encompassed as part of a larger, comprehensive immigration reform package. Other federal and local law enforcement agencies can adequately address crime and public safety issues.
Give Susan Collins a performance grade. What, if anything, has she done well?
“F.” while Senator Collins hasn’t missed a vote and has directed congressional spending to Maine for a limited number of projects, she’s failed to vote correctly when it has really mattered. For example, she’s consistently: favored tax cuts for the wealthy over expanded housing, healthcare, childcare and other assistance for middle and working-class families; supported the nomination of unqualified federal judges, including Justice Kavanaugh; and sided with Donald Trump 94 percent of the time.
Collins is running on her seniority in the Senate, including her position as chair of the appropriations committee. How do you plan to refute her argument that Maine benefits from her experience?
Maine has benefitted, although only to the extent I noted in the answer directly above. And now, only to the extent President Trump allows. President Trump has clearly diminished, if not crushed, Senator Collins’ and the Senate’s influence, power and relevance. She has very limited influence and clout at present, and that’s unlikely to change while Trump is president.