Senate panel advances Sean Costello for Alabama U.S. attorney

The United States Senate Judiciary Committee voted Friday to advance Sean Costello’s nomination to be the next United States attorney for the Southern District of Alabama.

Costello, a Mobile native, has served as acting United States attorney for the Southern District since February 2021, when acting United States Attorney General Monty Wilkinson appointed him following the retirement of Richard W. Moore. The United States District Court approved Costello to continue serving as acting United States attorney on June 27, 2021.

Before becoming acting United States attorney, Costello served as criminal chief for the Southern District and previously worked as an assistant United States attorney in Mobile. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and the University of Alabama School of Law.

At Friday’s nomination hearing, United States senator Katie Britt, R-Alabama, a member of the Judiciary Committee, praised Costello’s record and urged committee members to support his nomination.

“Sean has devoted his entire career to public service and working on the behalf of the people of Alabama and the Southern District,” Britt said. “Senator Tommy Tuberville and I were proud to recommend him to President Trump for this nomination, and I urge my colleagues for a ‘yes’ vote.”

The committee voted 17-5 to advance Costello’s nomination to the full Senate for a final confirmation vote.

If confirmed, Costello would become the third United States attorney for Alabama approved by the Senate this year. Last month, Thomas Govan Jr. was sworn in as United States attorney for Alabama’s Middle District, while Phil Williams Jr. was sworn in for the Northern District.