Joaquin Castro

Joaquin Castro is an American politician and attorney serving as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 20th congressional district since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, his district is based in San Antonio and includes much of the city's urban core. Castro has served in prominent party leadership roles, including as chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus from 2019 to 2021, and is a prominent voice on issues related to Latin American affairs, civil rights, and healthcare.

Early life and education

Joaquin Castro was born in San Antonio to Rosie Castro, a noted community activist and former Bexar County commissioner candidate, and Jesse Guzman. He and his identical twin brother, Julián Castro, were raised on the city's predominantly Hispanic West Side. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School before enrolling at Stanford University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and communications. He subsequently earned a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School, where he was a member of the Harvard Latino Law Review.

Political career

Prior to his election to Congress, Castro served in the Texas House of Representatives from 2003 to 2013, representing the 125th district in Bexar County. During his tenure in the Texas Legislature, he served on influential committees including the Appropriations and Higher Education committees. He was a key supporter of legislation to increase funding for the University of Texas at San Antonio and to expand children's health insurance. In 2012, he delivered the keynote address at the Texas Democratic Convention and served as a co-chair of Barack Obama's presidential reelection campaign in Texas.

U.S. House of Representatives

Castro was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2012, succeeding retiring Democrat Charlie Gonzalez. He has since been reelected by wide margins in the heavily Democratic district. In the House of Representatives, he has served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Education and the Workforce Committee, and previously served on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. As chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, he was a leading critic of the Trump administration's immigration policies, including the family separation policy and the travel ban.

Political positions and legislation

Castro is a progressive Democrat whose legislative focus includes immigration reform, voting rights, gun control, and economic equality. He was the lead sponsor of the Afghanistan War Powers Resolution in 2021, seeking to repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force. He has introduced multiple bills to protect DACA recipients and expand Medicaid. A vocal advocate for Puerto Rico, he has pushed for full statehood for the territory. He serves as the ranking member on the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere of the Foreign Affairs Committee, where he has focused on diplomacy with Mexico, Cuba, and Venezuela.

Personal life

Castro is married to attorney Anna Flores, a former staffer for U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. They have three children and reside in San Antonio. His twin brother, Julián Castro, served as Mayor of San Antonio, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Barack Obama, and was a candidate in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries. Joaquin Castro is a member of the American Bar Association and the San Antonio Bar Association.

Category:Joaquin Castro Category:1974 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Texas Category:Harvard Law School alumni Category:Stanford University alumni Category:Texas Democrats Category:American people of Mexican descent Category:Politicians from San Antonio