Politics & Policy
February 11, 2021
There’s One Thing Missing in the Biden Administration: Texans
Lone Star Democrats have almost nowhere to hang their hats in the most diverse administration in U.S. history.
Julian Castro
Politics & Policy
January 3, 2020
What Democrats Lose With the End of Julián Castro’s Campaign
Long criticized for his political caution, the former San Antonio mayor and Obama cabinet member had a profound effect on the presidential primary.
Politics & Policy
January 2, 2020
Miss Me When I’m Gone: Now That His Campaign Is Over, Julián Castro Is Extremely Popular
Castro’s presidential ambitions have ended, but Texas has likely not heard the last of him.
Politics & Policy
December 18, 2019
The 2020 Bum Steer Awards
Beto O'Rourke, Dennis Bonnen, and the Houston Astros make our annual dishonor roll, along with assorted lesser-known idiots and evildoers.
Politics & Policy
November 21, 2019
There Was a Julián Castro-Shaped Hole on the Democratic Debate Stage Last Night
The former San Antonio mayor didn’t qualify, but he still made his presence felt.
Border & Immigration
October 8, 2019
‘This Policy Is a Disaster’: Julián Castro Visits Increasingly Desperate Migrants in Matamoros
At a temp encampment in Matamoros, asylum seekers subject to Trump's "Remain in Mexico" policy wait in fear and boredom.
Politics & Policy
September 17, 2019
Why Julián Castro Should Stay in the Presidential Race
Some Texas Democrats are quietly urging the former San Antonio mayor to drop his White House bid, but many Hispanics wish him to fight on.
Politics & Policy
September 13, 2019
Thursday Night Lights: Beto O’Rourke and Julián Castro Fight for Relevancy at the Houston Debate
Beto vs. Julian, Castro tries to shank Biden, why the debate format sucks, and (bonus!) a snoozy Latinos for Trump rally.
Border & Immigration
August 29, 2019
What Texas Latino Leaders Want to Hear at the Democratic Debate in Houston
In the aftermath of the El Paso shooting, party leaders expect the presidential candidates to address racism and immigration.
Music
August 21, 2019
Beto O’Rourke and Julián Castro’s Campaign Playlists Are Meaningless (But One Is Clearly Better)
An analysis of the two Texan presidential candidates’ rally songs.
Politics & Policy
August 1, 2019
Julián Castro Is Finally Becoming the Politician He Was Supposed to Be
He's unlikely to win the presidential nomination, but after years of false starts he is becoming a leader in the Democratic party.
Politics & Policy
July 22, 2019
The 2020 Texas Polling is Much Better for Beto O’Rourke than Julián Castro
O'Rourke and Castro's polling in Texas is virtually unchanged from a month ago. That’s good news for only one of them.
News & Politics
July 15, 2019
What the Hell Is Happening at the Border? (An Occasional Series, July 15 Edition)
A secret Facebook group full of racist memes includes the head of Border Patrol, Elizabeth Warren promises sweeping reform, and the acting head of Homeland Security contradicts the agency's own watchdog.
Border & Immigration
July 1, 2019
Beto O’Rourke and Julián Castro are Fighting Over Who Gets to Be “The Texan”
Texas Democrats still love Beto O’Rourke. In polls of the state, he leads every candidate in the field except Joe Biden. His improbable 2018 Senate campaign, which earned him more votes than any Democrat in the history of Texas, still carries a lot of goodwill in…
Politics & Policy
June 27, 2019
Julián Castro Turns on Beto O’Rourke, and Why That’s Good for Elizabeth Warren
The debate had the feel, at times, of an episode of Survivor—the little guys teaming up to clear their ranks before the real fight begins.
Politics & Policy
June 5, 2019
Early Presidential Poll Shows that Texas May Be In Play in 2020
Seven Democratic hopefuls are within striking distance of Trump, with Joe Biden leading the pack.
Politics & Policy
April 24, 2019
Everything Julián Castro Knows He Learned From His Mother
Rosie Castro is known in San Antonio as a firebrand political activist. Her son is a cautious career politician running for president. But don’t let appearances deceive you—they’re fighting the same fight.
Politics & Policy
March 15, 2019
Joaquin Castro “All But Certain” to Challenge John Cornyn for U.S. Senate, Source Says
A Joaquin Castro candidacy instantly makes next year's Senate race competitive, observers say.
Politics & Policy
February 28, 2019
The Border Wall Debate Emphasizes the Divide Between Rural and Urban Texans
A recent poll of Texas voters shows opinions about President Trump’s wall depend on where in the state you live.
Politics & Policy
January 12, 2019
In Presidential Announcement, Julián Castro Emphasizes Value of America’s Immigrant Experience
The former San Antonio mayor threw his hat in the ring during a formal announcement Saturday.
Politics & Policy
December 12, 2018
Julián Castro To Launch Presidential Exploratory Committee
The former San Antonio mayor and Obama cabinet member said he will announce his intentions in January.
Politics & Policy
November 14, 2018
Is Beto O’Rourke a Problem for Fellow Democrat Julián Castro’s Presidential Prospects?
Castro has been enormously politically adept ahead of an expected run. O’Rourke’s popularity could present new challenges.
Politics & Policy
October 29, 2018
Julián Castro: “You’re Not Going to Beat Donald Trump by Trying to Out-Gutter Him.”
On our latest podcast, the former mayor of San Antonio and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development talks Beto, the Texas legislature, and how he'd run a campaign against Trump in 2020.
Politics & Policy
October 13, 2018
Exclusive Excerpt: Julián Castro’s ‘Unlikely Journey’
In his forthcoming memoir, the former San Antonio mayor and Obama cabinet member recalls leaving Texas for college at Stanford.
Politics & Policy
July 25, 2016
Onward to Philadelphia
Some thoughts on the Democrats as their national convention opens.
Politics & Policy
May 24, 2016
From Castro To Cuban: Will A Texan Be On The Democratic Presidential Ticket?
As the Democratic primary winds down, speculation on who frontrunner Hillary Clinton might select as a running mate ramps up—and there are some surprising names on the list.
Politics & Policy
March 30, 2016
Will Texas Be A Swing State In November? You Can Bet On It (Literally)
The odds aren't great, but according to booking sites they're there.
Politics & Policy
January 25, 2016
The “Julián Castro For Vice President” Train Is Chugging Along
The former San Antonio mayor has been waiting in the wings for the past four years—and the 2016 talk is heating up.
Politics & Policy
October 19, 2015
Castro Weighs In on Veep Speculation
The HUD secretary doesn’t think he’ll be picked and isn’t sure if he’d say yes.
Politics & Policy
December 4, 2014
The Anti-Castro
San Antonio’s new mayor, Ivy Taylor, is not as charismatic as her predecessor. But that doesn’t mean she’s a pushover.
Politics & Policy
May 20, 2014
Brain Drain
Looks like San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro may be heading to Washington, and Texas Senator Robert Duncan is bound for Texas Tech. What does that mean for local politics? …
Politics & Policy
April 16, 2014
The Politics of Illegal Immigration
Last night's debate suggested that Texans still recoil at divisive rhetoric on illegal immigration--and that Republicans know it.
Politics & Policy
April 16, 2014
Castro v. Patrick
I watched the debate on immigration between Dan Patrick and Julian Castro last night. Erica is also going to write about it today, but in my mind it didn’t really settle anything though it did raise a long-lingering issue. During the course of the debate, Patrick said that…
Politics & Policy
September 16, 2013
Rites of Passage, Iowa Edition
Julián Castro makes his first trip to the Indianola steak fry.
Politics & Policy
July 15, 2013
Capitol Gains
Politics can usually be described along the same lines as that old cliché about the weather: if you don’t like it, just wait five minutes and it’ll change. The will of the electorate is fickle, as constant in its attachment to any particular politician as to any particular variety of breakfast…
Politics & Policy
July 12, 2013
The Life and Death (and Life?) of the Party
After ruling the state for a century, Texas Democrats were gradually reduced to irrelevance. Is the reawakening at hand?…
Politics & Policy
February 11, 2013
Do the D’s Have a Shot at Cornyn?
On January 30, Public Policy Polling, a Democratic firm, released a poll on the U.S. Senate race in Texas. Did someone just say, What U.S. Senate race in Texas? Well, PPP surveyed John Cornyn’s prospects of keeping his seat against four Democratic opponents. As PPP put it, most…
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Election Night: Ten Takeaways
Cruz cruises, Wendy Davis holds on, Pete Gallego scores an upset, Karl Rove gets cranky, and six other election highlights from around the state and country. …
Health
January 21, 2013
Are You Sure You Want to Drink That?
San Antonio joins Chicago as the first two cities to get health-conscious soda vending machines.
January 21, 2013
Houston Mayor Calls River Walk a “Cement Ditch”
And San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro fired back, suggesting Annise Parker was just jealous. …
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Remembering the Last Texan to Deliver the DNC Keynote Address
Julián Castro's speech at the Democratic National Convention brought on a wave of nostalgia about Ann Richards, the last Texan to grace that stage. …
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
How Did Julián Castro Do?
What people are saying about the San Antonio mayor's keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention.
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Everything You Wanted to Know About Julián Castro
A primer on the San Antonio mayor, who was recently thrust into the national spotlight after he was tapped to deliver the DNC's keynote address.
The Culture
October 31, 2012
5 Things You’ll Be Talking About in November
1. Dear Houston, Back in February, Jeremy Lin was the king of my hometown, and the Knicks were vowing to do whatever it took to keep him around a long, long time. And then, boom, five months later he was headed to the Rockets. The Knicks? They never even…
Politics & Policy
October 26, 2012
Bill Clinton Stumps for Pete Gallego and Joaquín Castro in San Antonio
The 42nd president charmed a crowd of 3,000 gathered in South San Antonio High School's gymnasium Thursday afternoon.
Politics & Policy
July 31, 2012
Julián Castro to Deliver DNC Keynote Address
The San Antonio mayor will be the first Hispanic to give this speech. …
Politics & Policy
June 30, 2012
Julián Castro’s Office
The mayor of San Antonio shows us where he works.
Politics & Policy
April 30, 2010
Alamo Heights
One year into his first term as mayor of San Antonio, Julián Castro is emerging as perhaps the most prominent young Hispanic politician in Texas. Get ready to get used to him.
Politics & Policy
June 30, 2009
Julián Castro
“The great cities of the world are not defined by one or two ethnicities, religions, or backgrounds. It must be that way for San Antonio as well.”…