Julian Castro: Texan Democrat likely to launch 2020 presidential bid
He will become third Democratic candidate to officially vie for White House
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Texas Democrat Julian Castro is expected to officially announce his candidacy for the Oval Office on Saturday, making him the first Hispanic in a jam-packed field of candidates seeking to challenge Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
Mr Castro, 44, served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development under former President Barack Obama. Prior to that role, he was the mayor of San Antonio. Mr Castro is also the grandson of a Mexican immigrant and is likely to position himself in the election as a political outsider with liberal credentials.
The Texas Democrat announced forming an exploratory committee in December, and since then, he has started to assess the policy debates likely to become a driving force in the race to secure party nomination early next year.
“I’m not going to be a single-issue candidate,” Mr Castro told ABC last weekend. “My vision for the country’s future is that we aim in the 21st century to be the smartest, the healthiest, the most fair and the most prosperous country.”
So far, Mr Castro has endorsed “Medicare for all,” a proposal offering a national health care plan by allowing everyone and anyone to join the public health care system, a policy position expected to divide Democrats in the primaries. Centrist Democrats are likely to favour a less progressive approach to health care.
In the 2016 presidential election, Mr Castro was considered on the short list to be Hillary Clinton’s vice president pick. He is expected to leverage his Obama administration experience while simultaneously make the case that he is a political newcomer.
His identical twin brother is Democrat Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro, who sits on the House Intelligence Committee.
Mr Castro is expected to make his formal announcement in San Antonio. He would be the third Democratic candidate announcing his bid for the White House. He is joined by Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments