Joaquín Castro - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Joaquín Castro (born September 16, 1974)[2] is an American politician from San Antonio, Texas who has served in the United States House of Representatives, representing Texas's 20th congressional district, since 2013. From 2003 to 2013, he was a representative in the Texas Legislature representing District 125.[3] While in the Texas legislature Castro served as Vice-Chair of the Higher Education Committee and was a member of the Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee. He has previously served on the County Affairs Committee, Border & International Affairs Committee and the Juvenile Justice & Family Issues Committee.[3] Castro's identical twin brother, Julián Castro, serves as mayor of San Antonio.[4]

Early life, education, and early career[edit]

Castro was raised in San Antonio and attended Thomas Jefferson High School. Castro has stated that his interest in public service developed at a young age from watching his parents' involvement in political campaigns and civic causes. His father was a retired teacher from the Edgewood Independent School District, and his mother, a community activist. He graduated with honors from Stanford University with a bachelor of arts in political science and communications and went on to earn a juris doctor at Harvard Law School.[5]

He worked in public education, health care, and the juvenile justice system.[5] Castro is a member of the National College Advising Corps, St. Mary's University Mission and Identity Taskforce, St. Philip's College President's Advisory Board, and Texas Family Impact Seminar.

Texas House of Representatives[edit]

Elections[edit]

Castro ran for Texas' 125th House district in 2002. He defeated incumbent State Representative Arthur Reyna in the Democratic primary 64%-36%.[6] In the general election, he defeated Republican Nelson Balido 60%-40% and was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2002 at the age of 28.[7] In 2004, he won re-election to a second term unopposed.[8] In 2006, he won re-election to a third term, defeating Republican Nelson Balido, 58%-38%.[8] In 2008, he won re-election to a fourth term unopposed.[8] In 2010, he won re-election to a fifth term, defeating Libertarian Jeffrey Blunt, 78%-22%.[8]

Tenure[edit]

He authored and worked on legislation involving workforce development, highway safety, and education programs intended to reduce teenage pregnancy rates.[3]

Committee assignments[edit]

U.S. House of Representatives[edit]

Elections[edit]

In June 2011, Castro announced that he was running for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in the newly-drawn Texas's 35th congressional district.[11] However, after the November 28, 2011, retirement announcement by U.S. Representative Charlie Gonzalez of Texas's 20th congressional district, Castro announced his intent to run instead for the 20th District seat. He was unopposed in the Democratic primary. At the 2012 Democratic National Convention, he introduced his brother Julián as keynote speaker.[9] In November 2012, Castro defeated Republican David Rosa 64%-34%,[12] becoming only the fifth person to represent the 20th CD since its creation in 1935.[13]

Tenure[edit]

Castro was elected to represent Texas' 20th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives in the 2012 election. He was officially sworn into office on January 3, 2013 becoming a member of the 113th United States Congress. He was chosen as the president of the freshman class of Democrats in the 113th Congress.[14]

Sequestration[edit]

Castro stated that he sees Sequestration as a direct result of hostage politics.[15] He affirms that he is disappointed in the reckless actions that will cost may federal employees a 20% loss in income.[16]

Committee assignments[edit]

Personal life[edit]

Castro is the son of Jesse Guzman and Rosie Castro and the identical twin brother of Julián Castro, the mayor of San Antonio, Texas.[4] In addition to his work in the Texas Legislature, Castro practices law in San Antonio. He has also taught as a visiting professor of law at St. Mary's University and as an adjunct professor at Trinity University in San Antonio.

Castro sits on several boards of nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education, including: Achieving the Dream, the National College Advising Corps, St. Phillip's College President's Advisory Board, St. Mary's University Mission and Identity Taskforce, and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials' (NALEO) Taskforce on Education.[5]

Honors and awards[edit]

National and international honors[edit]

Awards and recognitions[edit]

Public speaking engagements[edit]

Notable speaking engagements[edit]

Conferences[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^Bland, Scott (November 7, 2012). "Texas, 20th House District". National Journal. 
  2. ^Project Vote Smart - Representative Joaquin Castro - Biography
  3. ^ abcTexas House of Representatives membership summary
  4. ^ abMayor's biography, City of San Antonio
  5. ^ abcMember biography, Texas state legislature
  6. ^http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=290782
  7. ^http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=5909
  8. ^ abcdhttp://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe
  9. ^ abGarrett, Robert T. (September 4, 2012). "With his twin brother in the spotlight, Joaquin Castro prepares for prominent role of his own". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 5 September 2012. 
  10. ^http://www.legis.state.tx.us/Members/MemberInfo.aspx?Leg=82&Chamber=H&Code=A2495
  11. ^Ramshaw, Emily (June 24, 2011). "Castro To Take On Doggett for New Congressional Seat — 2012 Congressional Election". Texas Tribune. Retrieved 5 September 2012. 
  12. ^http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=750688
  13. ^Camia, Catalina (September 6, 2012). "Seeing double: Mayor Castro's twin bound for Congress". USA Today. Retrieved November 11, 2012. 
  14. ^http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2013/01/07/joaquin-castro-selected-by-peers-as-president-democrat-freshman-113th-congress/#ixzz2I0YDJM00
  15. ^http://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/castro-statement-on-sequestration
  16. ^http://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/castro-statement-on-sequestration.
  17. ^[1]
  18. ^United States Embassy to Latvia, Riga

External links[edit]

Persondata
NameCastro, Joaquín
Alternative names
Short descriptionAmerican politician
Date of birthSeptember 16, 1974
Place of birthSan Antonio, Texas, United States
Date of death
Place of death
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joaquín_Castro