Obama-era Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro will launch a bid for the White House, according to his brother Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas.
The twins, both 44, appeared on Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show” Thursday night where the CBS host grilled Julian on why he announced Wednesday that he had formed a presidential exploratory committee, but had delayed making a formal decision about whether he’ll contest the Democratic Party’s nomination until Jan. 12
“Why not just let them know now? Are you going to run for president of the United States? Yes or no?” Colbert said.
“Yesterday, I filed an exploratory committee so I’m going to be making an announcement on Jan. 12. If you want to have me back on Jan. 12,” Julian, also the former mayor of San Antonio, replied.
“Why do you have to wait that long? What are you going to find out between now and Jan. 12? Why can’t you just tell us? Isn’t leadership about decisiveness? Right now, you’ve got an opportunity to prove to the American people that you have what it takes to sit in the Oval Office and make the tough calls,” Colbert countered.
Joaquin then offered to speak on his older brother’s behalf.
“He’s going to run for president,” Joaquin said.
TONIGHT: Is @JulianCastro running for president? His brother Congressman @JoaquinCastrotx has the answer. #LSSC pic.twitter.com/EVOJmwdsqQ
— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) December 14, 2018
Julian Castro was rumored to have been on the short list for 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s running mate. If he were to successfully challenge President Trump in 2020, Castro would be the country’s first Latino commander in chief.
