TEXAS – Two Texans have thrown their hats into the 2020 race for the White House.

  • Beto O'Rourke and Julián Castro both running for president
  • Two Texans join the list of Democratic hopefuls
  • Breakdown of their stances on some the key issues 

The most recent addition to the growing list of Democratic hopefuls is Beto O’Rourke. He made it official in an announcement Thursday morning. O’Rourke joins former San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro in the presidential race.

Background

An El Paso native, O’Rourke gave up his seat as a three-term congressman to go head-to-head with Ted Cruz in the race for the Senate. While O’Rourke did not win, he did shatter national fundraising goals with $38 million raised without taking any money from political action committees.

Castro announced his run in January in his hometown of San Antonio. The former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under the Obama administration spoke with community members who explained how his initiatives have positively impacted the local community.

Immigration

O’Rourke is in favor of relaxed immigration policies. In October 2018 he called for the immediate reunification of migrant families, who have been separated at the border under President Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy.

Additionally, O’Rourke believes there should be a path to citizenship for immigrants brought into the country illegally as children, also known as “dreamers.”

In regards to Trump’s proposed border wall, O’Rourke has said he wants a comprehensive immigration plan, but is not in favor of the wall.

Castro plans to campaign in all 50 states with one of his platforms focusing on changing immigration policy to reflect the country’s collective values. Castro tweeted that the millions of hardworking Americans living in the shadows should have certainty living in the country. He says he is the antithesis of Trump and vows to represent everyone.

 

 

Castro said in a one-on-one interview in the Spectrum News studios that Latinos have been targeted by the “bigotry” of the administration through immigration policies.

“He has basically put a target on the back of a lot of Latinos,” Castro said. “And so I believe that my candidacy is going to have special meaning, is going to resonate with the Latino community.”

Health Care

During his run for Senate, O’Rourke promoted the idea of expanding health care to more Americans through Medicare.

 

 

Castro believes that the country needs universal health care to help more Americans get coverage through Medicare. He believes that anyone who desires a supplemental plan, or a private plan should be able to do so. During his campaign, Castro says he will be releasing his own plan for health care.

 

 

Guns

While O’Rourke has said he is not in support of taking guns away from law-abiding citizens, he is in favor of stricter background checks.

 

 

In an ABC News article, Castro is quoted as a gun control advocate pushing for the ban on assault weapons and required background checks at gun shows.

The next step for Castro is a trip to South Carolina on Sunday, March 17, which will be his first stop since declaring his candidacy for president.

O’Rourke is currently in Iowa where he made his candidacy announcement Thursday morning.

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