By: Jeremy Falkner
SAN ANTONIO — Surrounded by family, friends and a massive crowd of supporters former San Antonio Mayor and the Obama administration’s Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro announced his run for the Democratic Presidential nomination on Jan. 12 for the 2020 election. Introduced by his mother, Chicano activist Rosie Castro and his twin brother, U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro, the announcement was made at Plaza Guadalupe on the city’s west side and childhood neighborhood of the Castro family. The announcement did not come as much of a surprise to many after Castro started a presidential exploratory committee in December.
Castro gave an electrifying speech to the hundreds of people in attendance. “I want y’all to look around this neighborhood, there are no front-runners born here, but I’ve always believed with big dreams and hard work anything is possible in this country,” Castro said. Implying awareness to the idea that he may not be a front-runner in the race, Castro hopes to change peoples minds throughout his run.
During Castro’s stint as Mayor, he is most remembered for his accomplishments with Pre-K 4 SA and Cafe College, two programs that continue to strive in San Antonio.
Pre-K 4 SA is a chain of pre-kindergarten schools that are open all day long in order to help young students get a jump start on learning, and too help the working parents that still have to work a 9-5 job.
Continuing his strive for bettering education for the San Antonio community Castro also brought on the program Cafe College. Cafe College has on-site college and higher education advisors to help future students apply for college, assist in the financial aid application process and serve as an academic advisor to make sure the students are taking the classes they need for their degree plans, and all for free. “Cafe College has helped me so much through my time in college with my financial aid and choosing the right classes for my degree,” current San Antonio College student Cassandra Salazar said. With the help of Cafe College Salazar prepares to transfer to the University of Texas at San Antonio for the fall 2019 semester.
Castro closed out his speech by announcing his bid for the presidency in not only English, but in Spanish as well all while giving tribute to the women that raised him, his immigrant grandmother and his Chicano activist mother.
For more information on presidential candidate Julian Castro visit the campaign website at: https://www.julianforthefuture.com
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