Brian Costello
Republican | Wyoming
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Brian Costello
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Republican Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 37
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Rocky Mountain College, Billings, MT, Bachelor of Science, 1993-1996
Rocky Mountain College, Billings, MT, Bachelor of Arts, 1993-1996
Eastern Wyoming College, Torrington, Wy, Associates, 1991-1993
Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ, Masters, 2010-2011
WORK & MILITARY
Natrona County School District, High School Educator, 2000-2026
Entrepreneur, Business Owner, 1993-2026
AFFILIATIONS
Wyoming Republican Party, Member, 1991-2026
Highland Park Community Church, Member, 2022-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Steve Harshman
Bill Landen
Lisa Burridge
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Planned Parenthood should never receive taxpayer dollars of any kind.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Like most rules, there are extenuating circumstances. For example, risk to the life of the mother in this case.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
It's not up to us to decide. God made the decision that life begins at conception.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Strongly Agree
We should be able to do the research we need without creating embryos.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Agree
All laws should be enforced and this one is no different.
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Minimum wage jobs are not meant to be career jobs. They are stepping stones that with hard, competent work can lead to better opportunities. So we have to find the middle ground that pays a fair wage without needlessly driving up costs of goods.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
These are the cornerstones that have allowed America and Americans to become world leaders in innovation, opportunity, and prosperity.
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
Wyoming taxpayers work hard for their money and deserve a government that does the same. My priorities are increasing transparency in state spending, conducting regular performance audits of agencies and programs, reducing administrative bureaucracy, protecting local control, and ensuring that every dollar is focused on core services. In education, for example, more dollars should reach classrooms and students rather than being consumed by administrative overhead.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Separation of church and state means government should not establish or control a religion, while fully protecting every person's right to practice their faith. Religious freedom is a fundamental constitutional right. Faith-based organizations play an important role in strengthening families, communities, and charitable efforts across Wyoming, and government should respect and protect those contributions while remaining neutral among religions.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
I support preserving Medicare and Medicaid for the populations they were designed to serve, particularly seniors, individuals with disabilities, and vulnerable families. At the same time, I believe healthcare decisions should remain primarily between patients and providers, with a strong role for private healthcare and market-based solutions. My focus is on improving access to care in Wyoming, while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Wyoming benefits when America is energy independent, manufactures more at home, and protects critical industries from foreign influence. Reducing reliance on China for essential goods and strategic resources strengthens both our economy and our national security.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. Israel is a key ally that shares many of America's democratic values and strategic interests. Our partnership strengthens national security, supports stability in the Middle East, and benefits both nations through intelligence, military, and economic cooperation.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
I do not support sanctuary city policies that prevent cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
Education decisions are best made by parents, teachers, local school boards, and state leaders rather than federal bureaucracies. Greater local control can improve accountability, reduce administrative overhead, and allow Wyoming communities to meet the needs of their students more effectively.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
Americans should fund our schools to eliminate the risk of foreign influence.
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
I strongly support the fundamental right of parents to direct their children's upbringing, education, and healthcare. Parents know their children best, and government should work with families, not replace them.
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly Agree
Children clearly don't have the capacity to make such life changing decisions without full brain development and life experience.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
I have been blessed to be married to the woman of my dreams for 23 years and counting. I wish a similar experience for all Wyomingites!
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Neutral
I do not generally support expanding gambling beyond its current scope. Any expansion should be considered carefully and only if the benefits clearly outweigh the social and economic costs.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My faith teaches me the importance of integrity, humility, service to others, personal responsibility, and treating people with respect and compassion. I believe strong families, strong communities, and a commitment to helping our neighbors are essential to a healthy society. My values are guided by faith, hard work, honesty, and a desire to leave Wyoming better for future generations.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support voter ID requirements because they help ensure secure elections and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process, but we need to make sure all eligible citizens who can legally vote do not face hurdles in getting the proper ID.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
As the father of two daughters who compete in athletics, I have seen firsthand the dedication, sacrifice, and countless hours of work that young women invest to earn opportunities in sports. I would never want a biological male to take their spot or compete against them. Women's sports is named, WOMEN's Sports! We also must maintaining privacy and safety in all women's spaces.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Disagree
I support responsible environmental stewardship, but I do not support urgent political actions that would harm Wyoming's economy, energy industry, or working families. Solutions should be practical, science-based, and economically responsible.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Natural gas is a great reliable & scalable source of electricity, while advanced nuclear energy represents one of the most promising long-term solutions. I support Wyoming's coal and oil advantages as well. We need to use all our God given resources.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
I'm a conservative guided by Wyoming values of hard work, personal responsibility, individual liberty, strong families, and limited government. I believe decisions are best made locally, taxpayer dollars should be spent wisely, and government should be accountable to the people it serves. My focus is on protecting our Wyoming way of life, preserving public lands, creating opportunities for young people and families, and ensuring future generations can build their future right here in Casper.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
The primary goals of the criminal justice system should be to protect public safety, uphold the rule of law, deliver justice for victims, and hold offenders accountable for their actions. It should deter crime, ensure fair and equal treatment under the law, and provide opportunities for rehabilitation that reduce repeat offenses and help individuals become productive members of society. A justice system that is firm, fair, and effective strengthens communities and builds public trust.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
As a father, teacher, and coach, I have spent much of my life working with young people. While parents are the first and most important line of defense in protecting children from online dangers, government also has a responsibility to protect children from online predators, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking by enforcing the law and holding offenders accountable. Keeping children safe requires parents, schools, technology companies, and law enforcement working together.
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The Second Amendment is a fundamental constitutional right, and law-abiding citizens should not be punished for the actions of criminals. Public safety is best protected by enforcing existing laws, keeping firearms out of the hands of violent felons and those who have been lawfully determined to be a danger to themselves or others, improving mental health resources, and holding criminals accountable. I do not support broad restrictions that infringe on the rights of responsible gun owners.
