Biographical Information
COUNTY
Montgomery
OCCUPATION
Teacher
EDUCATION
M.Ed. in Special Education, B.A. English-Secondary Education. Both degrees are from Holy Family University.
QUALIFICATIONS
I am a state of Pennsylvania certified teacher.

VOTE411 Voter Guide

Robert F Costello III earned a Bachelor of Arts in English-secondary education and a Master of Education in special education from Holy Family University.

Pennsylvania State Senator District 12 - Voter Guide - VOTE411.org

Biographical Information
COUNTY
Montgomery
OCCUPATION
Teacher
EDUCATION
M.Ed. in Special Education, B.A. English-Secondary Education. Both degrees are from Holy Family University.

Biographical Information
COUNTY
Montgomery
OCCUPATION
Teacher
EDUCATION
M.Ed. in Special Education, B.A. English-Secondary Education. Both degrees are from Holy Family University.
QUALIFICATIONS
I am a state of Pennsylvania certified teacher.
What do you see as the most pressing issues facing residents of your district, and how would you address them?

Robert currently works as a teacher and is certified to teach in Pennsylvania.

2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

I am a state of Pennsylvania certified teacher.
What do you see as the most pressing issues facing residents of your district, and how would you address them?
The most pressing issues in our district are affordability, repairing our state roads, providing tax relief for our senior citizens, and public safety. Families and retirees are struggling with rising school and local taxes, utility bills, and everyday expenses. I support property tax relief programs so that seniors are not taxed out of their homes. In Harrisburg, I want to pass legislation that guarantees nurses receive a paid half hour break per each eight hour shift. Many residents are concerned about large computer data center developments, and I will do everything possible to make sure that they do not come into our neighborhoods.

What are your thoughts on the state budget process? What changes, if any, would you support so that the budget is enacted in a timely manner?
The state budget process needs reform. Pennsylvania has a long history of late budgets. This creates real disruption for many stakeholders that depend on state funding. Budget negotiations happen too often behind closed doors between legislative leaders and the governor. I would support a bill to require budget negotiations to take place in public. Budget negotiations should start earlier in the year. I would support legislation that requires lawmakers to forfeit their pay for any days worked past the official budget deadline until the budget is successfully passed.

Supports property-tax relief programs for seniors.

Supports requiring public state-budget negotiations.

Supports beginning state-budget negotiations earlier and withholding lawmakers' pay after missed budget deadlines.

- Supports property-tax relief programs for seniors.
- Supports requiring public state-budget negotiations.
- Supports beginning state-budget negotiations earlier and withholding lawmakers' pay after missed budget deadlines.

Economy

As of October 16, 2026, Robert F Costello III did not have a website or any information online.

Education

The most pressing issues in our district are affordability, repairing our state roads, providing tax relief for our senior citizens, and public safety. Families and retirees are struggling with rising school and local taxes, utility bills, and everyday expenses. I support property tax relief programs so that seniors are not taxed out of their homes. In Harrisburg, I want to pass legislation that guarantees nurses receive a paid half hour break per each eight hour shift. Many residents are concerned about large computer data center developments, and I will do everything possible to make sure that they do not come into our neighborhoods.

Wants to require paid 30-minute breaks for nurses during each eight-hour shift.

- Wants to require paid 30-minute breaks for nurses during each eight-hour shift.

Healthcare

What changes, if any, would you support to enable better access, ensure security, and support the processes of our elections?
Elections should be secure, accessible, and transparent. It is important that we maintain the integrity of our election system to maintain voter confidence. We should make it easier for people to update their voter registration because the voter rolls do not always have the most up to date information about each voter. I also want to give voters the ability to watch the ballot counting process online.

Wants to make it easier for voters to update their registrations.

Wants to let voters watch ballot counting online.

- Wants to make it easier for voters to update their registrations.
- Wants to let voters watch ballot counting online.

Voting & Elections

Public Safety

Should the state legislature enact laws concerning the impacts on water, energy, or land use from the development and operation of data centers? Would state regulation of data center development and operation interfere with the authority of municipalities to establish ordinances under the MPC (Municipal Planning Code)?
The development and operation of data centers can have significant impacts on water, energy, and land use. This often crosses municipal boundaries, so this makes some level of state oversight appropriate. Water consumption and energy demand do not stop at municipality borders. A patchwork of local rules is insufficient to address data center challenges effectively. As a result, state oversight on this issue is necessary. Pennsylvania municipalities have long held zoning and land use authority under the Municipal Planning Code. That authority should be preserved. The state should work with township officials to recommend the most suitable locations for data center facilities because each municipality has its own unique needs.

Pledges to oppose large data-center developments in residential neighborhoods.

Supports state oversight of data-center impacts on water, energy, and land use.

Supports preserving municipal zoning authority and consulting township officials on data-center locations.

- Pledges to oppose large data-center developments in residential neighborhoods.
- Supports state oversight of data-center impacts on water, energy, and land use.
- Supports preserving municipal zoning authority and consulting township officials on data-center locations.

Energy & the Environment

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Robert F Costello III

As of October 16, 2026, Robert F Costello III’s website did not contain information on this issue.

LinkedIn

Isaac Brickman

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- Your state senator represents the interests of your district in the Pennsylvania State Senate. The State Senate, along with the State House of Representatives, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Pennsylvania General Assembly. 
- Your state senator can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws after going through the legislative process.
- The State Senator and their staff members respond to constituent concerns and questions through emails, phone calls, and website announcements. 
- The State Senator oversees the executive branch and can vote to overrule a veto by the Governor.   
- There are 50 Pennsylvania state senators, each representing a single district.
- Senators must be at least 25 years old, U.S. citizens, and residents of Pennsylvania for four years. They must also have lived in their district for one year before the election and must remain there throughout their term.
- State senators are elected to four-year terms and have a salary of $106,000, with a 1-3% annual increase.  

Your representative and state lawmaker in the Pennsylvania Senate.