Politics & Government

Costello Sworn in as Chester County Commissioner

Costello has been an attorney in Phoenixville for the past nine years.

Editor's Note: The following was submitted on behalf of County Commissioner Ryan Costello.

Ryan Costello was sworn into office on Monday at West Chester University by Common Pleas Court Judge William P. Mahon. 

The 35-year-old Costello is the first Chester County Commissioner elected from East Vincent Township and one of the youngest ever county commissioners in Chester County political history.

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In February 2011, Costello became a commissioner to fill the remaining time on Carol Aichele’s term. She left office to become Secretary of the Commonwealth. Costello was elected to a four-year term by county voters in November.

Costello is the first county commissioner from East Vincent Township, where he previously served six years as Township Supervisor, four as Chairman of the Board. A graduate of Owen J. Roberts High School, he has been an attorney with the Pottstown and Phoenixville law firm of O’Donnell, Weiss and Mattei, P.C. for the last nine years. 

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In 1778, John Ralston, 34, was elected from Vincent Township, prior to the split of Vincent Township into East and West Vincent. Costello is also the first commissioner from the Phoenixville area since Thomas McAvoy, who assumed office in 1932. The first Chester County commissioners served in 1711. 

One would have to go way back in Chester County history to find a younger Republican Commissioner. Two recent commissioners, Patrick O’Donnell, was 32 when elected in 1980, and Earl Baker, was 36 when elected in 1976. Costello is the youngest Republican commissioner since Samuel L. Whitson, 26, of Highland Township was elected in 1885. There have been at least 10 county commissioners younger than Costello in the 1800s and late 1700s, including Thomas Taylor, 17, who was elected in 1774.

Costello noted, “The historical anecdotes are fun to note. I’m looking forward to helping to maintain and improve Chester County as a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.”


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