Costello: GOP Lost Because Of Trump, 'Angers Me To My Core'

In a series of fiery interviews and tweets, outgoing Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello (PA-6) said that President Trump was the reason for Republican losses around the country and on the state and local level.

The remarks were in response to Trump's claims that the Republicans lost because they hadn't been loyal to him.

"They are hard-working, independent-minded, center-right Republicans, who woke up every single day and got angry phone calls and protests and unending amounts of criticism, not because of anything they particularly did, but because they're Republicans, and there is such anger and angst against Republicans," Costello told CNN's Kate Bolduan on Wednesday.

The retiring Congressman from Chester County, 42, did not run for re-election. His 6th District, significantly redrawn in February, was won handily by Democrat Chrissy Houlahan on Tuesday.

In a tweet on Wednesday afternoon, Costello lamented the "harassment and filth spewed" at Republicans because of President Trump. "To lose bc of POTUS & have him piss on u. Angers me to my core," he wrote.

Costello faced the ire of progressives in his own district throughout his last term. That was despite, by most measures, voting and advocating for moderate positions (including climate change and gun control), and consistently distancing himself from President Trump and his rhetoric.

"If it was anger based on policy, that's one thing," he said. "But a lot of the anger emanates, rightly so, from things that he says. The ignorant, mean, name-calling, snide-type stuff that you wouldn't want your 12-year-old to say, nevermind want the President of the United States to say."

Costello, who also appeared on MSNBC, added that many Congressional Republicans bit their tongue when Trump said something controversial because they wanted to focus on their jobs and getting things done. Trump's comments after the election, though, took things to another level.

"It's like dancing on somebody's grave. It's highly inappropriate, and it's deeply offensive."

Read more:

• Election Results: Chrissy Houlahan Wins 6th District
• 2018 vs. 2016: Phoenixville's GOP Vote Drops Considerably
• How Montco, Chesco Dems Made History In Long-Red PA Districts
  

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