I call Julián Castro the invisible candidate because he is often forgotten when a list of presidential candidates are mentioned, both here on this site and in the media.
He’s got the credentials to be running — Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Pres. Obama, and Mayor of the 7th largest city in the country, San Antonio, Texas.
Castro represents a growing constituency in the party, as the only Hispanic running for President and according to Pew Research,
We project that the 2020 election will mark the first time that Hispanics will be the largest racial or ethnic minority group in the electorate, accounting for just over 13% of eligible voters – slightly more than blacks. This change reflects the gradual but continuous growth in the Hispanic share of eligible voters, up from 9% in the 2008 presidential election and 7% in the 2000 election.
The Washington Post breaks down the huge margin between Sec. Clinton and the other guy,
Latinos made up 11 percent of the 2016 electorate and broke by a more than 2-to-1 margin for Hillary Clinton over Trump. By 2020, their share of the vote might surpass African Americans and make them the largest minority voting bloc.
www.washingtonpost.com/...
Sec. Castro also has put forth several bold policies that separate him from the other candidates. He believes we can have a secure border at the same time offer compassion to those seeking asylum, or coming here as refugees. As such he’s offered the only comprehensive immigration plan among the candidates, and proposes a 21st Century Marshall Plan for Central America. Additionally, he is advocating for Rep. Barbara Lee’s bill that would form a commission to study reparations for African Americans.
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But perhaps things are beginning to change. After very successful appearances at She The People, and the SEIU event in Nevada, Julián is getting more coverage, and people are taking notice. With a big push this past week, Sec. Castro has received the 65,000 donations necessary to be on the stage at the first debate at the end of June!
He’s the first presidential candidate of this cycle to visit Fresno, CA and the Fresno Bee took notice and wrote an article that indicated he’s done his homework and knows the issues well in the Central Valley. He was able to draw on his past experience as Mayor of San Antonio to talk about water issues in the area, and discuss the housing problems that are growing in the valley.
Castro said Fresno’s long been considered the affordable part of the state, but that’s starting to change. “We need to make sure there’s an affordable housing supply that helps this community to meet that challenge,” he said.
Castro grew up in San Antonio which depends on an underwater aquifer for its water supply. He used that experience to relate to the Valley’s toxic drinking water plauging many rural communities. “I understand the importance of ensuring that a place like the Central Valley has the water it needs,” he said.
Vice News segment on him
Walking the walk by helping other Democrats get elected
I’ve read alot of articles about Julián, and this one, Everything Julián Castro Knows He Learned From His Mother, is the best so far. It really provides a rich, and detailed background on who is, and why. It also introduces the country to his activist mother. Someone who receives the respect due to her from the author for her lifetime of work for her community, and not just as his mother.
This article, 15 Things to know about Julián Castro, is from December, 2018; but it provides a quick snapshot of him for those of you who don’t know much about him.