Jennifer Falcon: Julian Castro is the right choice for vice president


Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro. Photo by Gage Skidmore

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is getting closer to announcing her running mate and Jennifer K. Falcon, a member of the Fort Peck Tribes, hopes it will be Julian Castro, the leader of the Department of Housing and Urban Development:
After the Texas Democratic Convention headlines were buzzing about former San Antonio Mayor and current HUD Secretary Julian Castro being on the short list as a potential running mate to presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Secretary Castro is the only minority on the list and the best pick for Indian Country. Secretary Castro has been mentioned along side U.S. Senator from Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren and U.S. Senator from Virginia Tim Kaine.

I have heard many people remark on Secretary Castro’s inexperience for the position. I admit that he is not as well seasoned politically as other picks, but he has a different kind of experience than any other player on the VP list or any other presidential candidate: growing up in America as a minority. If Secretary Castro is chosen as Secretary Clinton’s running mate, he brings with him a whole voice to the White House, the voice of the average American life that blossomed into greatness. He is an inspiration to marginalized communities across the country and is a welcome contrast to Trump’s blatant racism.

Secretary Castro was raised by Chicana activist power house Rosie Castro who took Secretary Castro and his twin brother, U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro, with her to rallies and political meetings from a young age. The Castro twins were exposed to organizing marginalized communities. Secretary Castro attended Thomas Jefferson High School, graduated from Stanford with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and Communications and graduated with a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. At age 26, Secretary Castro was the youngest person elected to San Antonio City Council and in 2009 was elected Mayor of San Antonio.

Get the Story:
Jennifer K. Falcon: HUD Secretary Julian Castro Is Best VP Pick for Indian Country (Indian Country Today 7/6)

Join the Conversation

Related Stories
Hillary Clinton envisions women making up half of Cabinet posts (7/4)
Five tribes donate over $500K for Democratic party's convention (06/30)
Donald Trump fares poorly against Hillary Clinton in national poll (06/27)
Mark Trahant: Some lessons for Hillary Clinton and Indian Country (06/13)
Terese Mailhot: Indigenous voices can impact America's election (06/10)
Native voters split support as Hillary Clinton claims Democratic win (06/08)
Doug George-Kanentiio: Hillary Clinton is the clear choice for the Iroquois (06/08)
Lloyd Tortalita: Hillary Clinton has always cared about Native peoples (06/08)
Steve Russell: Clintons continue to get away with corrupt actions (06/07)
Tribal leaders in Great Plains welcome Hillary Clinton's experience (06/03)
Nine North and South Dakota tribal leaders endorse Hillary Clinton (06/02)
Chairman of Quapaw Tribe endorses Democrat Hillary Clinton (05/24)
Steve Russell: Unpopular politicians represent splintered parties (05/19)
Gyasi Ross: Voting for the lesser of two evils in this crazy election (05/06)
Suzan Shown Harjo: Delete 'off the reservation' from our discourse (05/04)
Mark Charles: Presidential candidates haven't learned from our genocidal past (05/02)
Editorial: Native Sun News endorses Hillary Clinton for president (04/28)
Alex Jacobs: Hillary Clinton must answer to role in Honduras coup (04/28)
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton moving closer to nominations (04/27)
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump win strong showings in New York (04/20)
Mark Trahant: Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton battle in New York (04/18)
Stephen Fox: Hillary Clinton just isn't the right pick for president (04/11)
Brandon Ecoffey: Let's shake things up with our votes for president (04/06)
Bernie Sanders sweeps three states as Native issues stay on agenda (03/28)
Native push for Bernie Sanders fails to translate into more votes (03/24)
Hillary Clinton meets tribes in Washington as campaign continues (03/23)
Cronkite News: Democrats court Native voters ahead of primary (03/21)
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton continue to rack up more wins (3/16)
Mark Trahant: More opportunities for Native votes as race drags out (03/09)
Donald Trump racks up 3 more victories as Clinton and Sanders split wins in 2 states (03/09)
Hillary Clinton affirms support of 'nationhood' for Native Hawaiians (3/8)
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton solidify status as front-runners (03/02)
Hillary Clinton wins another state as campaigns head to big vote (2/29)
Mark Trahant: Indian Country needs big ideas from candidates (2/26)
Hillary Clinton campaign releases Indian policy at NCAI winter session (2/24)