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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
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Wife of Slain Official|Asks for Husband’s Job

OKLAHOMA CITY (CN) - Two weeks after witnessing her adult son allegedly murder her husband in public, Cathy Costello has asked to fill her husband's job as Oklahoma Labor Commissioner.

Mark Costello, 59, was stabbed to death at a Braum's restaurant in northern Oklahoma City on Aug. 23 during a purported reconciliation gone wrong.

Police said Christian Costello, 26, asked his parents to meet him at the restaurant. Witnesses said the men got into a heated argument before the stabbing at 6:30 p.m.

Mark Costello was reportedly stabbed again in the parking lot and his son was reportedly restrained by customers. The younger Costello since been charged with first degree murder.

Gov. Mary Fallin must appoint a successor to serve the remainder of Mark Costello's four-year term. He was first elected in 2010 and reelected in 2014.

On Tuesday, Costello told Fallin she was "partners" with her husband "in everything since the day of our marriage." She says she is "ready, willing, qualified and energized" to continue her husband's work.

"Many of the initiatives launched by Mark to reform and improve services were intimately discussed with me both before and during his time in office as well as having complete knowledge regarding his future projects at the [Department of Labor]," Costello's letter said. "I formally ask that you appointment as Labor Commissioner to continue the work Mark began, that I was successfully bring to fruition."

Costello is invoking Oklahoma Statute 51.12, which allows a surviving spouse to be eligible for appointment of an elected local or state official's job if he or she dies in office.

"In the history of our nation, and as recently as 2010, the practice known as the widow's mandate has allowed 48 women to continue the work they started with their husbands as their successors," Costello wrote.

Costello said she and her husband successfully launched eight business in six industries over 33 years while raising and educating five children.

"We have always sought to use our resources to better the lives of those around us," Costello said. "But there is still work to be done."

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