So, a few days ago, I interviewed Ryan Farrar, a candidate for Congress in Indiana's 1st congressional district. In that interview, I mentioned how there were other progressive candidates running against him in the Democratic primary, including Scott Costello, who I'll be interviewing today to let him make the case why he's the best candidate to tackle corruption and money in politics. So, without further ado, here is Scott Costello.
What motivated you to run for Congress?
"Several factors, to start, the current rep was rated one of the most corrupt and inactive congressman, he was not for Medicare For All (until very recently, probably because he knew it would die in the senate). We have many crises that are not being addressed by centrist Democrats or Republicans: climate, healthcare, wealth and income inequality. I felt that I had time, interest, knowledge, and motivation to run so I did. However, Pete announced his retirement and then many other candidates entered the race. After looking at the slate of 13 Democrats, none were as progressive as I. So, I stayed in the race. Ryan [Farrar] is progressive, but he lives outside of the district, I was concerned about that."
What is your strategy to win in such a crowded field?
"There were over a dozen forums scheduled and some debates, so, that would of helped a lot, however, they have all been indefinitely cancelled. So, I have to regroup. I was the first to hold a Facebook townhall. I have held 3 and have 2 more scheduled. I will probably do many more. I'm probably going to have to rely on social media. I'm the only grass roots candidate in the race. Other candidates give lip service to campaign finance reform, but I'm the only one who is actually walking the talk. Candidates with more money tend to win, but its because they had more money and voters vote based on very little info. I tell voters every chance I get to research the candidates to see who they get money from. They can find this on opensecrets.org and propublica.org."
Speaking of campaign finance reform, if elected, will you pledge to cosponsor the We the People Amendment (introduced in the House this session as H.J.Res.48) that would declare that corporations are not people, and that money is not speech?
"Yes. I post in We the People Pledge Facebook. Their page manager interviewed me in January for their page. I am the only candidate to take the no fossil fuel pledge and green new deal pledge. I'm the only one taking independent donations under $200 and no PACS of any kind."
Speaking of other candidates, other progressives in the race are Ryan Farrar (as you mentioned) and Jim Harper. Why are you the best option for progressives out of them?
"Family background and campaign contributions are important. Mr. Harper comes from a family where his mom is a conservative Republican judge and his dad owns a law firm where he works, he went to Georgetown Law School, he grew up in a wealthy moderate to conservative family, and he takes large donations. He ran for a State office in 2018 and he was not progressive then. Also, I don't see him as being wholeheartedly progressive. He seems like its a career move like it is for Mrvan, McDermott and Reardon. Mr. Farrar I do see as wholeheartedly progressive but he is rough around the edges, I don't see him as getting the votes. They are both very nice and smart people! My entire platform is progressive. My dad was a teacher and in a teachers union. I'm a social worker. I've been progressive my whole 30-year career."
On your website, you list Medicare for All, a $15/hour minimum wage, a Green New Deal, etc. as some of your policies. Among all of your policies, which one is your top priority?
"I see all of the crises we have as being related, climate, economic inequality, healthcare, education, campaign finance. All of those are a priority for me. Climate crisis is most dangerous. I will fight hard to address all of these."
At this point, Joe Biden is the overwhelmingly likely Democratic nominee. Would you support him if/when he wins the nomination, and if he is elected, how do you work to move him to support at least a handful of your (and the progressive movement's) policies?
"I'm still taking a wait and see approach with the Dem primary. But I agree, it looks bad for Sanders. Biden is a center right politician. But at his age, he will be a figure head. He will not be governing. Other centrists will be telling him what he needs to say and do. So, it will be challenging to deal with his type of presidency. It will be similar to Reagan's second term. All sorts of vultures around to deal with."
Anything final you’d like to add?
"Voters need to be more active at spreading around the best information. Negative info carries more weight than positive info by 10 to 1. The right is great at scaring voters to Biden from Sanders. We need to get away from character attacks and focus on why people should be scared of the destructive policies of moderates and conservatives. At the same time we need to do a better job getting out positive messages out, like simple hard facts about the GND."
So, that was my interview with Scott Costello. If you'd like to learn more about him, you can check out his website. And, like with Ryan Farrar, if you want to vote for him, the primary is scheduled for June 2.
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