Julian Castro, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, has announced his plans to launch a new political action committee this week.
Castro told the Texas Tribune that he is forming a new PAC. Castro says his PAC, Opportunity First, will aim to assist Democrats in gaining control of the House, making headway in state legislatures ahead of the 2021 round of redistricting and electing younger leaders to local office. In doing so, Castro says he plans to have a wing of the PAC focused on federal races, while another branch of the PAC will work at the state and local level.
Castro says that he plans to promote "young and progressive" talent, and to work electing those candidates to county commissions, city councils and other local government levels.
A native of San Antonio, Castro previously serves as San Antonio mayor, preceding Mayor Ivy Taylor. Castro was then recruited by President Barack Obama to serve in his administration as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Castro's brother, Joaquin, is also a politician, representing San Antonio in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The formation of the Opportunity First PAC comes as Castro is reportedly considering a bid for President of the United States in 2020.
