Former Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro, the only Latino running in the Democratic presidential primary, has yet to secure support from most members of the House Congressional Hispanic Caucus, of which his twin brother, Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas, is chairman.
Julián Castro, mayor of San Antonio from 2009-2104 before heading HUD during the final two-and-a-half years of the Obama administration, does have his share of endorsements overall, including 33 issued in March. That included a slew of Hispanic members who serve in the Texas state House as well as the San Antonio City Council.
However, only two members of the 38-member House Congressional Hispanic Caucus group so far have endorsed his run for the White House — his brother, who is chairman of his brother’s campaign, and Texas Democratic Rep. Vincente Gonzalez.
Castro, did pick up a third congressional endorsement, but from a non-Congressional Hispanic Caucus member, Texas Rep. Colin Allred.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus’s vice chairman, Arizona Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, endorsed California Rep. Eric Swalwell’s run for the presidency back in April before Swalwell dropped out last month.
Several Congressional Hispanic Caucus members argued back in January that they were holding off on endorsements until the Democratic primary race developed.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Gallego’s office asking why members are still reluctant to step forward for Castro at this point.
Six months later, only one more member from the Texas delegation has budged and key states with large Hispanic populations show he is falling behind.
According to a Quinnipiac poll of California following both debates, Castro garnered only 2% of Latino voters. In Nevada, according to Politico, six candidates poll ahead of him with Latinos.
Previously, on a national level with this demographic, he polled strong immediately following the first debate, according to a poll conducted by Univision. But California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris edged him out as the favorite among Hispanics at that point.
Castro, 44, did receive support from the Latino Victory Fund, a group that raises money to increase the profile and influence of Latinos in the political realm.
The largest polling sample of Latino voters this election cycle (1,854) was conducted by Latino Decisions, the Times of San Diego reported. The poll, though, never ask who they would vote for, but instead wanted to learn what they looked for in the candidates and which issues were most important to them.
The survey found that 78% of Latinos said their main concern is how President Trump treats Latinos and are “worried it will get worse.”
[Also read: Six Trump donors Joaquin Castro tried to shame also gave to him and brother Julián]
