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Some San Antonians Disappointed Clinton Didn't Choose Castro As Running Mate

Texas Public Radio
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Texas Public Radio
Former Mayor Julián Castro introduces Hillary Clinton at a rally in San Antonio in October. Many had hoped the presumptive Democratic presidenital nominee would choose Castro to serve as vice president."

There’s disappointment in San Antonio following Hillary Clinton’s decision to choose Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine as her running mate.

Last October former San Antonio mayor and U.S. Housing Secretary Julian Castro appeared with Hillary Clinton in the Alamo City helping her rally Latino voters

The campaign appearance fueled speculation that Castro was a top contender to be Clinton’s running mate, and in recent weeks the 41-year old rising star was being vetted for the job with several others who made the short list.

“I’m disappointed.  I think that he would be great,” said State Rep. Diego Bernal, a San Antonio Democrat.  He’s a longtime friend and former city council colleague of Castro. 

Bernal thinks Clinton missed an opportunity.

“Sure, the Latino thing is a big deal, and honestly it’s a voter base the Democratic Party needs to be very careful not to take for granted. Beyond that I think he touches a lot of other folks as well.  I think he touches progressives.  I think he touches young people.”

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said he believes Castro would have been a politically safe pick for Clinton and the nation.

"He has the experience and I think the commitment to a lot of the issues that Hillary Clinton has been running on. And I think he would have been a great vice president and actually would have helped her a lot in this campaign.” 

Hinojosa believes Castro’s political future is still promising.

"He'll be in the administration regardless of whether he's the vice president. He'll be a cabinet member or running the Democratic national committee, one of those key positions.  And ultimately you haven't seen the last of him and his brother Joaquin."

Rep. Joaquin Castro is the twin brother who serves in the U.S. House of Representatives.

What comes next for Julian Castro is unclear. He’ll be a lame duck cabinet official after November unless the new president reappoints him.  Castro has said he doesn’t plan to run for governor in two years which he has been urged to do.

Shortly after Clinton made her announcement Friday evening Secretary Castro tweeted that Clinton/Kaine is “a winning ticket for America," and “I’m with them.” 

Shelley Kofler is Texas Public Radio’s news director. She joined the San Antonio station in December 2014 and leads a growing staff that produces two weekly programs; a daily talk show, news features, reports and online content. Prior to TPR, Shelley served as the managing editor and news director at KERA in Dallas-Fort Worth, and the Austin bureau chief and legislative reporter for North Texas ABC affiliate WFAA-TV.
Tricia Schwennesen is the Web Producer/News Editor for Texas Public Radio where she manages the station’s web site and social media accounts.