Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Julián Castro Visits Fresno Looking to Raise Presidential Profile
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
May 2, 2019

Share

Fresno is not a completely unfamiliar place to Democratic presidential contender Julián Castro. He has been here before.

In 2014, Castro — then the mayor of San Antonio — stopped by the offices of SEIU Local 1000. The union represents state employees and is one of the largest in the country.

Now as he pursues the nation’s highest office, Castro returns to Fresno on Friday (May 3) to deliver the keynote address at the Fresno County Democratic Party fundraising dinner.

According to chairman Michael Evans, the event is sold out, with seating capped at 420 — the maximum number Pardini’s banquet hall can hold.

Interest from Fresno Democrats

Count Elisa Rivera as someone looking forward to Castro’s visit. She is the president of the California Latina Democrats Fresno County chapter.

“We appreciate anybody taking the time to come out and get to know us, regardless of his chances or odds” she said.

She said it is too early to guess at Castro’s chances in the crowded presidential field. She wants to wait and hear from more candidates and their messages. Particularly, her group cares about immigration, jobs and water issues.

“We are interested in who, and what policies can help us live the American Dream,” she added. “I look forward to meeting with him and hearing what he has to say.”

Evans is optimistic on Castro.

“There is a lot of support for him in the Central Valley,” he said.

Former Obama Cabinet Member

“We are going to see these folks, particularly those who have significant experience — they know what it takes to get stuff done.”Fresno County Democratic Party chairman Michael Evans

Between his 2014 visit and now, Castro served as Housing and Urban Development secretary under President Obama from 2014-2017. At the age of 39, he was Obama’s youngest cabinet member.

Evans recognizes that Castro may not have the name recognition of a Joe Biden or Elizabeth Warren, but sees him in the next tier of candidates looking to break out.

“We are going to see these folks, particularly those who have significant experience — they know what it takes to get stuff done,” Evans said, citing Castro’s past governmental experience.

His name surfaced as a possible vice presidential candidate on the Hillary Clinton ticket in 2016, a designation that ultimately went to Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine.

Recently, Castro supported impeachment efforts against President Trump and Attorney General William Barr.

And, Castro aligns with liberal views on immigration, workers rights, education, healthcare, and LGBT rights.

Castro’s identical twin brother, Joaquin, is a congressman from San Antonio.

A Crowded Democratic Field

Castro is the first 2020 Democratic presidential challenger to stop in Fresno. Twenty others have announced their intention to run.

Two other candidates appeared in California this week — former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee — but neither came to Fresno.

So, how did Evans get Castro to appear at his event?

“It is difficult to get somebody that prominent. We were able to leverage contacts we had to make that happen,” Evans said. He would not divulge who those contacts were to pull the strings.

While the dinner serves as a fundraiser for the county party, Castro himself will not benefit. The event starts at 5:30 p.m., with a VIP reception at 4:30.

2014 Appearance

Months before being appointed to Obama’s second-term cabinet, Castro appeared at a union event in Fresno in April 2014.

“I thought he was well spoken, and definitely knew his subject matter,” Henry R. Perea said of his 2014 appearance. “He’s a viable presidential candidate.”

Perea, a former county supervisor, said he’s not sure if he will support Castro for president. But, he looks forward to seeing him again on Friday.

The SEIU union newsletter at the time quoted Castro saying:

“As mayor, and when I look around the United States, what I see today are a lot of families who are working very hard – often times more than 40 hours a week, but they don’t seem to be getting ahead like they could in previous generations. But I feel like we still have an opportunity—whether we’re in San Antonio or Fresno or Bakersfield—to change things for the better…to roll up our sleeves and work together—like you have already shown you can do—to make improvements in our communities.”

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

California’s Stubborn Problems Keep Thwarting Its Ballooning Budget

DON'T MISS

Sights & Sounds: The 2025 Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade and Festival

DON'T MISS

Trump Says Musk Relationship Over, Warns of ‘Serious Consequences’ if He Funds Democrats

DON'T MISS

Iran Says It Obtained Sensitive Israeli Nuclear Documents

DON'T MISS

Trump Has Options to Punish Musk Even if His Federal Contracts Continue

DON'T MISS

Ukrainian Attack Damaged 10% of Russia’s Strategic Bombers, Germany Says

DON'T MISS

Riot Police, Anti-ICE Protesters Square Off in Los Angeles After Raids

DON'T MISS

Why Reforming California’s Bedrock Environmental Law Is Good for the Environment

DON'T MISS

Sinner Bids for His First French Open Title Against Defending Champion Alcaraz

DON'T MISS

Coco Gauff Defeats Top-Ranked Aryna Sabalenka in 3 Sets to Win Her First French Open Title

UP NEXT

World’s Largest Almond Processor Will Shutter Sacramento Plant. 600 Workers Impacted

UP NEXT

Trump Eyes Major Funding Cuts for California, Including All Public Universities

UP NEXT

Southern California Air Regulators Weigh a Plan to Phase Out Gas Furnaces and Water Heaters

UP NEXT

Doctors Were Preparing to Remove Their Organs. Then They Woke Up.

UP NEXT

FDA’s AI Assistant ‘Elsa’ Fails Its First Day on the Job

UP NEXT

Newsom Promises Funding to Jump-Start ‘Science of Reading’

UP NEXT

Rancho Cucamonga Prepares for First US Bullet Train Hub in 2028

UP NEXT

8 Ways Musk and Trump Could Inflict Pain on Each Other

UP NEXT

D-Day Veterans Return to Normandy to Mark 81st Anniversary of Landings

UP NEXT

Lambda Legal, a Nonprofit Supporting LGBTQ+ Rights, Exceeded Fundraising Goal by $105M

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Canada Promises to Boost Defense Spending, Meet NATO Target Much Earlier

43 minutes ago

China’s Chokehold on This Obscure Mineral Threatens the West’s Militaries

48 minutes ago

Israel Seizes Gaza-Bound Aid Ship in International Waters. Can It Legally Do That?

54 minutes ago

Israeli Forces Seize Gaza Aid Boat Carrying Greta Thunberg

1 hour ago

Trump Hints He Would Support Arrest of California Governor Newsom

2 hours ago

Alcaraz Outlasts Sinner in a French Open Finale for the Ages

2 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Sergio Castro Quezada

2 hours ago

A Solidarity Protest in San Francisco Turns Violent

3 hours ago

OKC Doesn’t Blow Lead This Time, Evens NBA Finals by Shredding Indiana

3 hours ago

California Will Sue Trump Over National Guard Deployment, Newsom Says

3 hours ago

Fresno Inmate Facing Homicide Trial Charged With a Later Murder

A man already in custody for an unrelated homicide has been charged in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred in Fresno in January 2...

2 minutes ago

A Fresno man already jailed, Michael Fitch (pictured), 35, for a 2021 homicide has been charged in the 2022 shooting death of Ursolo “Frank” Sermeno after DNA evidence linked him to the crime, police said. (Fresno PD)
2 minutes ago

Fresno Inmate Facing Homicide Trial Charged With a Later Murder

Fresno police arrested a woman wanted for a 2023 homicide and identified two additional suspects, including one still at large. (Fresno PD)
11 minutes ago

Fresno Police Arrest Woman Wanted in 2023 Homicide, One Still at-Large

19 minutes ago

ICE Protest Scheduled Today in Downtown Fresno

A pair of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CF-188 Hornets fly with a United States Navy EA-18G Growler during Exercise Maple Flag 51 over Alberta, Canada June 15, 2018. OS Erica Seymour/Canadian Forces/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
43 minutes ago

Canada Promises to Boost Defense Spending, Meet NATO Target Much Earlier

China’s export restrictions on samarium, a rare earth metal essential for U.S. military weapons like the F-35, have exposed a dangerous reliance on Chinese supply chains and stalled domestic production efforts, deepening national security concerns amid rising global tensions. (Shutterstock)
48 minutes ago

China’s Chokehold on This Obscure Mineral Threatens the West’s Militaries

Freedom Flotilla
54 minutes ago

Israel Seizes Gaza-Bound Aid Ship in International Waters. Can It Legally Do That?

A surveillance footage shows crew of the Gaza-bound British-flagged yacht "Madleen", put their hands up as strong light came into the vessel, in this screengrab from a video released on June 9, 2025. Freedom Flotilla Coalition/Handout via REUTERS
1 hour ago

Israeli Forces Seize Gaza Aid Boat Carrying Greta Thunberg

California Governor Gavin Newsom gestures while speaking, as he announces the Golden State Literacy Plan and deployment of literacy coaches statewide, at the Clinton Elementary School in Compton, California, U.S. June 5, 2025. REUTERS/Daniel Cole/File Photo
2 hours ago

Trump Hints He Would Support Arrest of California Governor Newsom

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend