Julián Castro Drops Out of 2020 Presidential Race

A video released by the Julián Castro campaign on Thursday announced that the Texas Democrat and former HUD Secretary has ended his 2020 campaign for President, the New York Times first reported. Castro was the only Latino in the race.

“I’m so proud of the campaign we’ve run together. We’ve shaped the conversation on so many important issues in this race, stood up for the most vulnerable people, and given a voice to those who are often forgotten,” Castro said in the campaign video. “But with only a month until the Iowa caucuses, and given the circumstances of this campaign season, I have determined that it simply isn’t our time.”

“So today it’s with a heavy heart, and profound gratitude, that I will suspend my campaign for president,” Castro added.

After the Times report, Castro tweeted out the news that he is no longer running.

“It’s with profound gratitude to all of our supporters that I suspend my campaign for president today. I’m so proud of everything we’ve accomplished together. I’m going to keep fighting for an America where everyone counts—I hope you’ll join me in that fight,” Castro’s Twitter profile said.

The campaign video highlighted several of Castro’s positions, which earned the praise of young progressives of color, although the support never really materialized in strong poll numbers. Although Castro made funding thresholds for debates, his lack of poll support left him off the latest December Democratic debate. In addition, candidates like Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders had more Latino support than him.

Castro closed his campaign video with the following phrase: “¡Ganaremos un día!” (“We will win one day!”)

An email from a campaign spokeseperson shared on Thursday said the following: “The Secretary will send an email to supporters shortly and will travel to New York this evening to appear on the Rachel Maddow Show.”

The campaign also noted that “Secretary Castro was instrumental in shaping the debate on many important issues, and led the field on many positions and policies,” noting that he was “first with policies on immigration, lead exposure, Indigenous communities, police reform, protecting animals and wildlife, foster care, and ending hunger.”

Reactions are beginning to roll in:

I’m grateful for @JulianCastro & his campaign. He changed the debate on immigration, poverty, pushing candidates to be more progressive.

Our electoral system is rigged. Candidates of color don’t have a fair chance. Expect billionaires.

I’ll keep fighting w/ @JulianCastro https://t.co/3M6tJCCdMW

— Cristina Jiménez (@CrisAlexJimenez) January 2, 2020

On a very basic level, leaving aside his policy proposals which are fantastic, Julian Castro should be an obvious pic for VP for the eventual nominee. Every possible candidate would be improved by choosing him and any ticket is politically better with him.

— Mx. Amadi (@amaditalks) January 2, 2020

The Julián Castro campaign's inability to break through has less to do with his ideas/how he ran – it's more of an indictment of the primary process.

The privileging of Iowa and New Hampshire above all else stifles strong voices on immigration justice. https://t.co/EkLy9KzGum

— Emma Vigeland (@EmmaVigeland) January 2, 2020

.⁦@JulianCastro⁩ deserved so much better than what he got, and I do greatly look forward to supporting his work in whatever comes next. This candidacy and those debates needed his voice, and we needed to listen better. https://t.co/Rphksospgl

— Phillip Picardi (@pfpicardi) January 2, 2020