Joaquin Castro says he won't challenge Ted Cruz for Senate in 2018

[DonViejo]

Source: Texas Tribune

01 MAY 2017 AT 15:51 ET

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, has decided not to challenge U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in 2018.

He announced the decision in an email to supporters Monday, saying he wants to remain focused on his work in the House. The decision leaves U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke, D-El Paso, as Cruzs main competition.

Ive kept my pledge to fight for hard-working Texans, and Ill keep doing that, Castro said in the email. However, with the threats posed by Russia and North Korea, coupled with the reckless behavior of this Administration and their failure to invest in economic opportunity for the American people, at this time I believe I can best continue that work by focusing on my duties in the House Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committees.

Castro, seen as a rising star among Texas Democrats, had been mulling a Senate run for several months. In recent weeks, he promised to announce his decision by the end of April. As recently as last week, he was non-committal to House colleagues.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2017/05/01/joaquin-castro-not-challenge-ted-cruz-senate/

[ck4829]

1. We should just get a person who does nothing but repeat all the things Trump said about Cruz

Make it a referendum.

That is, if nobody else can be found.

[Judi Lynn]

2. That would be funny, and it might drive "Lyin' Ted" insane, hearing it all over again. n/t

[mahina]

10. Beto O'Rourke is doing really well and has a good chance to beat Cruz.

[cannabis_flower]

11. He's got my vote.

He might have even had my vote against Castro, although I'm not sure.

[yallerdawg]

3. If we have learned anything...

it's that Republican assholes can have no problem winning if enough assholes show up at the polls.

I bet Castro got some polling that indicated there are a lot of assholes in Texas.

[Dustlawyer]

14. Castro would have had a good chance of defeating Cruz as he is almost universally

liked by Hispanics here whereas Cruz not so much! It would have helped with voter registration in the Valley where there is a huge Hispanic population. If they ever get registration going down there it would go a long way to turning Texas blue. All things being equal, once that happens Republicans will never see the inside of the WH again!

[haele]

4. I think that might be a good strategy.

Don't risk a strong Democratic house seat - and according to the inlaws, there's some Taliborn-again/MAGA sectarian infighting going on in San Antonio right now, but as it still might take a few years to sort out, Joaquin Castro is "hold your nose" acceptable to the majority of Republicans there - and don't split the Senate Democratic base into purity factions over a primary fight. O'Rourke is less threatening to the political hierarchy in Texas; Castro is assumed to have Presidential aspirations.

I'm pretty sure that despite the religious Reich veneer, Cruz is a weak Republican - even for that Purple/Red state. I know more than a few Republicans (again, the in laws and their country club friends) who mentioned how they only voted for him at the senate seat to get him out of Texas government. Now that he's not running for a state office, they will be more than willing to leave his name unchecked in the general.

Haele

[LeftInTX]

12. Ted Cruz has a 55% approval rating in Texas

As crazy as he is, they must like them crazy down here.

[ladjf]

5. Castro's excuse for not opposing Cruz is very weak.

If there is a chance of overturning Cruz he should take it. Nothing else he might could do would be as significant as subtracting a Republican and adding a Democrat.

[onetexan]

7. I beg to differ - he's probably making room for his brother Julian

who was Obama's former housing secretary, and before that mayor of San Antonio. Julian is not holding office now and would make an amazing candidate. Both brothers are hugely popular among Dems here in Tx. Heck i'd love it he'd run.
Don't forget Beto O'rourke, currently a House rep out of El Paso, has declared he is running against Ted and actively campaigning. I went to his meet & greet, and i think he's got a great chance as well.

[ladjf]

8. I hope that you are right.

America desparately needs more Dems elected.

[MedusaX]

6. Best Decision...Castro can direct his support to O'Rourke

O'Rourke has a lot going for him...

and Cruz will underestimate the level of competition
O'Rourke represents...


No need to compete amongst ourselves to see who gets to go head to head with Cruz...

better to act as a team from the start....

[mahina]

9. Beto!

Beto is kicking ass!

[nycbos]

13. It is a right choice for him.

He has a relatively safe seat in the house and he is a rising star in the party who will be inline for a leadership position soon.


Why give that up for a long shot run for the Senate? Even if he wins he would be 100 out of 100 in terms of seniority.