Former HUD secretary Julian Castro joins 2020 Democratic presidential field

[DonViejo]

Source: The Washington Post


By Jenna Johnson January 12 at 1:03 PM

SAN ANTONIO — Julián Castro, a former mayor of San Antonio who worked in the Obama administration, announced Saturday morning that he is joining the increasingly crowded field of candidates for the 2020 Democratic nomination.

Castro, 44, has pitched himself as “the antidote to Donald Trump” who understands the immigrant experience, border issues and the needs of the middle class. If elected, he would be the nation’s first Latino president.

“When my grandmother got here almost a hundred years ago, I’m sure that she never could have imagined that just two generations later, one of her grandsons would be serving as a member of the United States Congress and the other would be standing with you here today to say these words: I am a candidate for President of the United States of America,” Castro said Saturday morning, standing in San Antonio’s historic Plaza Guadalupe.

Castro’s announcement was not exactly a surprise, as he launched an exploratory committee on Dec. 12 — and, the next night, his twin brother, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Tex.), jokingly turned that exploration into a full commitment when the two appeared together on CBS’s “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.”

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/former-hud-secretary-julian-castro-joins-2020-democratic-presidential-field/2019/01/12/8e60314e-15eb-11e9-90a8-136fa44b80ba_story.html

[Mosby]

1. I like him

If he can get a grassroots effort going, especially targeting the Hispanic community, he could be formidable.

[TexasBushwhacker]

3. I like him, but his highest elected office is Mayor of San Antonio

I was really hoping he would challenge Gregg Abbott for Governor in 2018.

[Mosby]

5. does it matter anymore

Millions of people voted for a reality show person and failed business man.

[TexasBushwhacker]

10. I would hope our candidates would be held to a higher standard

At least Senators and Governors have run successful statewide campaigns.

[aeromanKC]

6. Or Senate vs. Cornyn 2020

His candidacy will help him elevate his status nonetheless for those runs.

[TexasBushwhacker]

9. I would like him to do this n/t

[Honeycombe8]

12. I've been waiting for a governor. Guess it won't happen. But...

But at least being a mayor is executive experience, which is more than being in Congress. Being an executive is different from being in Congress, which is a collective effort.

But San Antonio isn't a very big city, so I don't know about that.

I'm guessing he's hoping to show his debate skills and get popular enough to get on the ticket as a V.P. If not, this gives him experience to run again later, makes him nationally known, and you know...most who run for President and are high profile end up getting rich. Books, hefty speaking engagement fees, etc.

That's why most of these guys are throwing their hats in.

[TexasBushwhacker]

13. And San Antonio has a "weak mayor" form of government

They have a City Manager as well as the Mayor and while the Mayor presides over City Council and has a vote, he doesn't have veto power.

[Gothmog]

2. I really like Julian Castro

Link to tweet

?s=20

[aeromanKC]

4. No

Cabinet perhaps, but not on the ticket.

[Recursion]

7. I've liked everything I've seen about him so far

I could be persuaded

[jb5150]

8. Too early to tell ..

but he is an impressive gentleman, and so is his brother ... if he wins the nomination, I would have no issue voting for him.

[McCamy Taylor]

11. Yes. This is going to be better than 2008, the greatest line up of Dem candidates ever.

[riversedge]

14. I am so glad he entered the Presidendial race.