‘It simply isn’t our time,’ Julian Castro says in ending his presidential bid
Julian Castro ended his presidential bid Thursday morning.
Castro released a video thanking supporters for backing his effort to claim the Democratic party’s presidential nomination.
“I’m so proud of the campaign we’ve run together,” the 45-year-old said. “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.
“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.”
Castro, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary and former mayor of San Antonio, was the only Latino candidate seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination.
His departure from the race comes after fellow Texan and former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke of El Paso ended his bid in November.
“Today it’s with a heavy heart and with profound gratitude, that I will suspend my campaign for president,” Castro said in the video. “To all who have been inspired by our campaign, especially our young people, keep reaching for your dreams — and keep fighting for what you believe in. ¡Ganaremos un día!”
Texas Republican Party Chairman James Dickey said Castro promoted “radical positions” that weren’t what Texans — or Americans — wanted.
“No matter who the Democratic nominee ends up being, radical far-left policies like ‘Medicaid for All’ and taxpayer funded healthcare for illegal immigrants will not resonate with the American people,” he said. “People want results, not obstruction and bad policy.”
Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa, on the other hand, praised Castro for speaking out for the “voiceless and those left forgotten.”
“Our country is better off because of Julian Castro’s bold and progressive solutions that challenged the status quo and put people first,” Hinojosa said. “As a prominent Latino presidential candidate, he inspired millions across our country.
“Julian Castro made Texas proud. We look forward to his future.”
This story was originally published January 2, 2020 at 9:29 AM with the headline "‘It simply isn’t our time,’ Julian Castro says in ending his presidential bid."
