Julian Castro

Julian Castro is an American politician and attorney who served as the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Barack Obama from 2014 to 2017. He previously served as the Mayor of San Antonio from 2009 to 2014, becoming one of the youngest mayors of a major American city. A member of the Democratic Party, he gained national prominence with a keynote address at the 2012 Democratic National Convention and was a candidate in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.

Early Life and Education

He was born in San Antonio, Texas, to political activist Rosie Castro and grew up in the city's West Side. He and his identical twin brother, future U.S. Representative Joaquín Castro, were raised primarily by their mother and grandmother after their father left the family. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School before enrolling at Stanford University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and communications. He then attended Harvard Law School, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 2000.

Career

After law school, he returned to San Antonio and worked as an attorney at the firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. He was elected to the San Antonio City Council in 2001, representing District 7. In 2005, he made an unsuccessful run for Mayor of San Antonio, losing to Phil Hardberger. He won the mayoral election in 2009, succeeding Hardberger, and focused on initiatives like the SA2020 comprehensive plan and expanding Pre-kindergarten education. His national profile rose significantly after delivering the keynote speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2014, President Barack Obama nominated him to lead the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, where he oversaw programs like the Choice Neighborhoods initiative and implemented the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule.

2020 Presidential Campaign

He launched his campaign for the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries in January 2019, with a rally in his hometown of San Antonio. His campaign platform centered on issues like immigration reform, proposing a repeal of Section 1325 of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, and universal Pre-kindergarten. He participated in the primary debates, notably clashing with fellow candidate Joe Biden on healthcare during a debate in Miami. Despite a strong performance in some debates, he struggled to gain traction in polls and fundraising. He suspended his campaign in January 2020, after failing to meet the polling threshold for the January debate, and later endorsed Joe Biden.

Political Positions

He is considered a progressive within the Democratic Party. On immigration, he has advocated for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and the decriminalization of unauthorized border crossings. He supports a Medicare for All-style single-payer healthcare system and has called for significant new investments in affordable housing and combating climate change through a Green New Deal. He is a proponent of police reform, including banning chokeholds and overhauling qualified immunity, and supports expanding voting rights through measures like automatic voter registration. His foreign policy views emphasize diplomacy and multilateral engagement through institutions like the United Nations.

Personal Life

He married Erica Castro (née Lira) in 2007; she is an elementary school teacher. They have two children, a daughter and a son, and reside in San Antonio. His twin brother, Joaquín Castro, represents Texas's 20th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church and has cited figures like Robert F. Kennedy and César Chávez as political inspirations. Since ending his presidential campaign, he has remained active in politics through his political action committee, People First Future, and as a political commentator on networks like CNN.

Category:1974 births Category:Living people Category:American city mayors Category:United States Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development