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A4 U.S. NEWS
Thursday 13 december 2018

APNewsBreak: Julian Castro moves toward 2020 White House run

By PAUL J. WEBER
Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — For-
mer Obama housing chief
Julian Castro says he’s tak-
ing a step toward a possi-
ble White House campaign
in 2020 by forming a presi-
dential exploratory com-
mittee.
The Texas Democrat tells
The Associated Press that
he will announce a deci-
sion Jan. 12.
The move Wednesday
gives the 44-year-old for-
mer San Antonio mayor an
early start to what’s shap-
ing up as a crowded Dem-
ocratic field without a clear
front-runner to challenge
President Donald Trump.
Castro indicated in an AP
interview that his mind was
all but made up.
“I know where I’m leaning,
for sure,” said Castro, who
has said for weeks that it
was likely he would seek
the nomination. Democrat Julian Castro talks about exploring the possibility of running for president in 2020, at his home in San Antonio, Tuesday,
An exploratory committee Dec. 11, 2018.
usually is a formality be- Associated Press
fore a candidate launches in the field and the most complicate his own chanc- that Democrats have pro- Young and telegenic, Cas-
a presidential campaign. prominent Latino. He es. jected since he was elect- tro rose to national promi-
It legally allows potential played down the attention “He’s talented. He ran a ed San Antonio mayor at nence early in his career as
candidates to begin raising that others are generating good race against Ted 34, followed by his star- a Latino leader from a state
money. and pointed to past elec- Cruz,” Castro said. making turn as the keynote that Democrats are eager
But just as important for tion cycles in which early “I’ll let him talk about his fu- speaker at the Democratic to retake after decades of
Castro, the step gives him favorites ended up falter- ture.” National Convention in Republican dominance.
an early jump on bigger ing. Castro said he has not spo- 2012. But in Texas, O’Rourke has
name Democrats who are “People might say right ken to former President He is the grandson of a eclipsed Castro after get-
considering running but are now, ‘Well, hey, you’re way Barack Obama about his Mexican immigrant and ting closer to a statewide
taking a slower approach. down here in polling that’s potential candidacy but son of a Latina activist. victory than any Democrat
No potential contender is taken.’ The most danger- plans on consulting Demo- His twin brother, Joaquin in a generation.
more ascendant than out- ous place to be right now cratic leaders. Castro, is a Democratic It now puts Texas in the for-
going Rep. Beto O’Rourke, is actually in the pole posi- Obama has spoken to congressman from Texas. merly unthinkable position
who lost last month in a sur- tion,” Castro said. O’Rourke, who has said Julian Castro said the La- of having two Democratic
prisingly close race against “It doesn’t bother me that he won’t make a decision tino community has been presidential candidates in
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. in December of 2018 I’m on 2020 until after leaving treated “like a pinata” un- the same year.
O’Rourke has excited do- not right up at the top of Congress in January. der Trump and deserved a The last Texas Democrat to
nors and activists who are the list. Obama picked Castro to candidate in the field. run for president was Sen.
now prodding him to seek If I decide to run, it would take over the Department “I’m also very mindful, es- Lloyd Bentsen, who had
the presidency. be because I believe I have of Housing and Urban De- pecially now for the Latino a short-lived campaign in
Sens. Elizabeth Warren of a compelling message and velopment in 2014. Two community, that there’s a 1976.
Massachusetts and Cory I’m going to work hard and years later, Castro was on particular meaning to my Maryland Rep. John Del-
Booker of New Jersey, get to the voters and I be- the short list of Democratic candidacy,” Castro said. aney is the only declared
along with former Vice lieve I can be successful.” presidential nominee Hillary “We can’t go through the 2020 Democratic presiden-
President Joe Biden, are Castro, who attended Clinton’s potential running 2020 cycle with nobody tial candidate so far.
also potential candidates. O’Rourke’s election-night mates. on that stage because of Others are expected to an-
Castro would be among party in El Paso last month, For Castro, running for pres- what’s happened over the nounce their intentions in
the youngest candidates said O’Rourke doesn’t ident would fulfill a destiny last couple of years.” the coming weeks.q