Power Profile: Representative Mike Costlow

Representative Mike Costlow represents the 108th District in the Missouri House of Representatives. Photo courtesy of House Communications/Tim Bommel.

Representative Mike Costlow, R-Dardenne Prairie, did not come to Missouri planning to stay.

The Florida native originally arrived for what was supposed to be a short-term work assignment in the IT field. Instead, his plans changed when someone new entered his life. 

“I came up from Pensacola, Florida, for a one-year engagement … and I met a girl,” Costlow said.

From there, he and the woman who is now his wife built a career, started a family and ultimately put down roots in Missouri.

Costlow’s introduction to public service came through a local issue close to home. When a proposed development began taking shape near his neighborhood in Dardenne Prairie, he got involved alongside his neighbors, trying to better understand how decisions were being made and how residents could have a voice. That experience led him to run for alderman, giving him a firsthand look at how local government works and how those decisions affect communities.

Though he didn’t set out with plans to move beyond local office, Costlow’s path shifted again when his state representative decided to run for Congress. Watching the field come together, Costlow said he ultimately felt a responsibility to step forward. 

“I decided I couldn’t sit on the sidelines anymore, and I needed to serve my community,” he said.

Before entering the General Assembly, Costlow built his career in IT, originally with an internet service provider. That background continues to shape how he approaches policymaking, bringing an analytical mindset and a focus on practical problem-solving, even in areas that are less black and white than the systems he worked in.

Later, Costlow spent more than 12 years working for a utility provider, both as a contractor and a full-time employee, where he saw firsthand how critical reliable electricity is to everyday life and economic stability. He points to events like Winter Storm Uri in 2021, when widespread grid failures in Texas left millions without power in extreme cold, as a reminder of what can happen when systems fall short. 

“We cannot have a failure. We can’t let our systems degrade to the point where we put lives at risk,” he said.

That focus on reliability and affordability shaped his support for Senate Bill 4, aimed at strengthening Missouri’s electric grid and supporting future energy generation. Signed into law last year, Costlow describes the bill as customer-focused, designed to reduce costs while putting clear guardrails in place.

He sees it as a step toward keeping Missouri competitive, particularly as other states face energy shortfalls. In addition to strengthening the grid, he believes the state has an opportunity to expand generation and play a larger role in meeting regional demand, potentially benefiting all Missourians.

Looking ahead, Costlow sees nuclear energy as a key part of Missouri’s long-term strategy. He pointed to emerging technologies like small modular reactors and microreactors as promising developments that could help meet future demand while maintaining reliability.

“We’re on pins and needles waiting to see those come to the state,” he said.

Outside of the Legislature, Costlow’s focus is firmly on his family. He and his wife are raising five children, all under the age of 11, with another on the way. They both also homeschool their children. The demands of public service have required significant adjustments, but he prioritizes time at home whenever possible.

“When I get home, I try my best to just unplug and spend as much time with them as possible,” he said.

That sense of responsibility at home shapes how he thinks about his work in Jefferson City. Reliable, affordable electricity is not an abstract issue, but something that affects families, communities and the state’s ability to grow. 

“Doing it right is the bedrock of prosperity for our state,” Costlow said.

For more information on Rep. Costlow and his work in the State Capitol, please visit his official House webpage at house.mo.gov.