Julián Castro could have very well calibrated his proselytizing thermometer, because in less than 48 hours ago he announced “officially” that he will be present in the Democratic Party primaries to try to compete in 2020 for the White House leadership.
Castro is a Texas legislator for the state of Texas, who currently chairs the Hispanic Caucus of Congress and is a character who has repeatedly reiterated his aspiration to become the forty-sixth president of the United States.
The young politician made the announcement formally at Plaza Guadalupe, socio-cultural axis of the extensive Mexican-American neighborhood on the west side of San Antonio, a community with a peculiar urbanism of bright colored houses with wooden frames, and ornamented with white plaster sculptures and catholic statues.
The main part of the Democrat speech was dedicated to invalidate President Donald Trump´s actions on border security. He accused Trump for using “cruel policies” that are doing “real damage”, just to accomplish an electoral promise.
It is likely that somewhere in the nation a “petit committee” has been created that calculated the possibility that a fight between Castro and Trump could benefit the Hispanic minority in an electoral dispute.
It is important to note that the Hispanic or Latino population living in the United States is young, and it is growing fast, due to immigration and birth rate.
For decades it has contributed significantly to increase the population increase and is expected to go on growing.
Estimates from the Census Bureau say that by 2050 a quarter of the total US population will have Hispanic or Latino origin.
These data explain why Castro keeps saying in each of the public presentations: “when my grandmother arrived here from Mexico almost one hundred years ago, I am sure that I would have imagined that only two generations later, one of his grandchildren would be a member of the US Congress, and the other would be here before you saying these words”, referring to his brother, Texas federal legislator Joaquín.
The news about his possible candidacy comes after Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, one of the Democratic Party’s most popular and progressive figures, announced earlier this year her plans to run for the presidency in the 2020 election.
Legislators John Delaney of Maryland and Tulsi Gabbard for Hawaii have also confirmed their intention to compete, along with Warren and Castro in the Democratic primaries.
The long road to San Antonio
Julian Castro´s political career, who has a twin brother, crowned his efforts for the first time in 2001, when at the age of 26; he became the youngest elected councilor in San Antonio history.
He would use his experience in the public service for enhancing economic growth, as well as improving San Antonians life quality.
In 2005 he founded Julián Castro´s law firm PLLC, a civil litigation practice.
He has worked for the Family Services Association board, Clear Channel San Antonio Advisory Board and the San Antonio National Bank.
In addition to his community service, Castro taught courses at the University of Texas at San Antonio, the University of Trinidad and the University of Santa Maria.
On May 9, 2009 he was elected mayor, becoming the youngest mayor elected by population in the United States.
In 2014, President Barack Obama appointed him as a candidate for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and he was sworn in on July 28, 2014.
His most recognized political sprint was when, in mid-January 2016, speculation began about whether Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton would elect him as an option to the Vice Presidency of the United States.
“I am a candidate for president of the United States,” said Castro, 44, of Mexican origin, first in English and then in Spanish before his followers in San Antonio (Texas), the city where he served as Mayor between 2009 and 2014.
Translated by: José Espinoza
Latinx Newswire
