While attending Suffolk University Law School, Mike earned academic honors and worked for the Office of New Hampshire�s Public Defender. After earning his Juris Doctor degree in 1996, Mike worked in Essex County as an Assistant District Attorney. Mike prosecuted hundreds of cases involving the possession and distribution of drugs, domestic violence, assault and battery and robbery.
In 1997, Mike was elected as a councilor-at-large to the Newburyport City Council, where he fought to preserve open space and create the City�s first Youth Council. Mike was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2002.
He has dedicated his time in office to fighting for children, families and senior citizens, protecting the environment and promoting economic development. He knows these issues are important to you and your family because they are important to him and his family. Mike has provided resources for critical community organizations like the Pettengill House, the Salisbury Boys & Girls Club, the Newburyport YWCA, the Jeannie Geiger Crisis Center, the Kelley School Youth Center and C-10. He has focused on making his communities a better place to live by creating new bike trails, protecting our beaches and preserving open spaces.
At the state level, Mike has made his mark as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Safety & Homeland Security. He championed legislation to change the name of the Department of Mental Retardation to the Department of Developmental Services in order to remove the stigma of inadequacy for one of the state�s most vulnerable populations. He was one of the lead sponsors of sweeping identity theft legislation. Mike also worked with the medical community and public safety officials to pass a booster seat law that protects the young children of the Commonwealth.
For these reasons, Mike�s public service has been recognized by many organizations both locally and statewide, including:
Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center � Changemaker, champion for battered women
Newburyport Preservation Trust � Preservation Leadership Award
Amesbury Education Foundation, Hall of Honor
Nancy E. Peace Award for eliminating racism and prejudice, presented annually by the Newburyport YWCA
Salisbury Chamber of Commerce Service Award
William Lloyd Garrison Award for helping the homeless
Massachusetts Bar Association � Legislator of the Year
The ARC of Massachusetts � Legislator of the Year
Massachusetts State Police Association � Legislator of the Year
Mike is the son of former State Senator Nick Costello and his wife Cynthia. Mike lives in Newburyport with his wife Kerrin and their two children.