Chesco's Costello debuts political TV ad

CHESTER COUNTY

Costello debuts political TV ad

WEST CHESTER Ryan Costello launched his first television ad in the Chester County-based Sixth Congressional District race this week, describing himself as a bipartisan candidate.

Costello, a Republican and county commissioner, is running against Democrat Manan Trivedi, a doctor and former Navy surgeon, in the race for the seat being vacated by Rep. Jim Gerlach (R., Pa.)

"Balanced budgets. Investing in our libraries. Preserving open space. Bipartisan leadership. That's my record as an elected official," Costello says in the 30-second ad, which features his wife, Christine, and their newborn son, Ryan Jr. "Counseling small businesses and working with nonprofit organizations. Creating jobs. That's my record in the business world."

Trivedi's spokesman said the ad was "lacking substance and full of political cliches."

"Voters are tired of empty rhetoric and deserve more from their representative in Congress," the spokesman, Daren Berringer, said in an e-mail.

- Tricia L. Nadolny