Dan Hirschhorn - PA2010.com

PHILADELPHIA—As he campaigns to succeed Jim Gerlach in the 6th Congressional District, Republican Ryan Costello is looking to present himself as something of an uber-native, intricately familiar with a district where he has spent his whole life. And indeed, Costello’s personal and professional experiences have taken him to most every corner of the gerrymandered district.

He grew up outside of Pottstown and went to school at Ursinus College in Collegeville. Law school in Villanova sat just outside the district, but in an area that could very well be pulled in when the district is redrawn after the 2010 census. He was later an East Vincent Township Supervisor and a Phoenixville attorney.

“I know this district,” Costello said in a recent interview at a downtown cafe here. “I’ve lived, worked and played here my whole life.”

And while careful not to criticize his opponents on either side of the aisle, he noted the freedom that comes from not yet having many family obligations (he is unmarried and doesn’t have children).

“I have the time to do this,” Costello said. “I have the intellectual stamina to do this. This district is always going to be challenging. It’s always going to be something that you have to work for every two years.”

When the district is inevitably redrawn, he said, his knowledge of the area would prove key in winning over new constituents.

“Whoever gets elected,” Costello said, “that person’s going to have this commitment to introduce themselves to any municipalities that are new to the district, so people don’t just feel they’re getting passed from one congressman to the other.”

Costello faces businessman Steven Welch and state Representative Curt Schroder (R-Chester) in next year’s GOP primary.