Posted on 01/27/2017 1:27:30 PM PST by Responsibility2nd
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-TX, told Buzzfeed Wednesday he's still deciding whether or not he'll challenge Ted Cruz for the Senate in 2018.
Cruz makes up one half of the state's representation in the U.S. Senate along with fellow Republican John Cornyn. He's held the seat since 2012, according to his website.
"There's no question it would be a tough race and he would have a lot of money and he is really beloved by his base you've gotta give him credit for that, but at the same time, he really has not done much for the people of Texas," Castro said.
This isn't the first time the congressman has floated the idea of running against Cruz. During the 2016 Democratic National Convention in July, Castro said he was looking at a possible run.
Cruz fired back on Twitter that afternoon urging followers to donate money to help him "fight back against the Castro brothers and any attempt by the media or establishment to turn Texas blue!"
Then, in a fundraising email the same day, Cruz said: "Despite any record of achievement and a liberal ideology out of touch with the majority of Texans, the Castro brothers have the full support of the mainstream media and Washington establishment willing to do everything in their power to turn Texas blue."
"In order to stop the Castro brothers attempts to bring their liberal ideology to the halls of the U.S. Senate I need you by my side," he added.
Despite Republican doubt, Castro told Buzzfeed there was also a possibility of turning Texas, a historically red state, blue, and Donald Trump's election could help with that.
"I think in the coming years, especially because you've got Donald Trump in the White House, I think you're going to see a lot of gains in state legislative races for Democrats," he said. "I think it's possible to win in the next few years a state-wide race."
But Castro isn't the only representative from Texas considering challenging Cruz for the Sentate seat. In a press conference Friday, U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, said he is "very close to making a positive decision to run against Cruz" in 2018.
The border congressman also condemned President Donald Trump's immigration rhetoric and executive actions, arguing that building a wall and imposing trade tariffs on Mexico will jeopardize more than six million jobs in the United States.
kbradshaw@express-news.net
Twitter: @kbrad5
Once Trump flushes out all the illegals and builds that wall, scumbags like this Castro will leave the political scene.
This is the one who can’t speak Spanish?
I will GLADLY vote for Cruz in his reelection bid! I hope all Texas FReepers will.
You got that right !
There was a lot of talk about the big splash Joaquin Castro would make in the last election as Hillary’s running mate.
The Dem voters seems underwhelmed.
He was never in the game. We’ll see what happens now.
He (Joaquin) will need to start making news and garner positive attention for himself. This means he will probably come out as a defender of all who are here illegally.
Well, if nothing else, he IS being a ally in the Senate, so it’s better to keep him.
But what about that other Texas senator? When is he done so he CAN be kicked out?
Cornyn is up in 2020.
Cruz is trying to help President Trump in the Senate.
If he pledges not to run for President again, I’d even kick in for his campaign for re-election.
Bush supported and got behind Castro and got him started.
Another gift from the moron.
I will be right there with a Texas vote for Ted.
From what I’ve heard, both he and his twin brother,Julian, are empty suits. They and their mother are all sock puppets for La Raza.
Joaquin? That’s pronounce Wacky-n?
He is going to have to resign from congress to do so and he will lose. Win Win.
Creepy.
A gay blade?
Joaquin was discussed on radio yesterday. Hosts told a story about Joaquin’s twin brother impersonating Joaquin at a public event while Joaquin attended another event (fundraiser). When asked about it Joaquin said something like not our fault we’re twins, that’s the way it goes.
I think it is 50/50 whether Cruz will be renominated in ‘18. He seriously pissed a lot of people off last year with his stunt at the convention. I don’t live in Texas but if I did, I’d be looking for someone else to vote for in a primary.
Yep. I live in San Antonio. I remember when that happened.
The media just laughed it off.
Really? i dont think so. Lower taxes are coming, increase enforcement of the boarder, deportations, a more conservative surpreme court, less regulations for more business.
..And in the state of Texas, people will run to the Democrats to reverse all that, seriously?
I think it is 50/50 whether Cruz will be renominated in 18.
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I think it will depend on whether any other strong GOP candidated gets in the primary race.
Texas uses an open primary thus there can be cross over votes depending upon the other races.
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