Democratic frontrunner offers preview of possible 2016 presidential ticket at event in San Antonio with former mayor Julián Castro

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

In what could be the earliest snapshot of the 2016 Democratic ticket, party frontrunner Hillary Clinton stood hand in hand with former San Antonio mayor Julián Castro after receiving his endorsement at a campaign rally in his hometown.

Castro, who currently serves as secretary of Housing and Urban Development, told the crowd that Clinton had a “strong vision for America’s future” and unlike Republicans, he said switching to Spanish, “she respects the Latino community”. Concluding his introduction, the Mexican-American cabinet member welcomed to the podium the “Democratic nominee and the next president of the United States”.

A rising star in the Democratic party, Castro has been raised as a possible vice-presidential pick by Hispanic Democratic leaders and the media should she capture the party’s nomination. On Thursday, Clinton hinted at the possibility.

“He gives a real good speech, don’t you think,” Clinton said coyly.

Earlier in the day, Clinton sat down with Javier Palomarez, the president and CEO of the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, for a question and answer session. His first question was whether she would consider Castro as a running mate, noting that “most people” think he would be a “great pick”.

“I think really highly of him,” Clinton responded. “I’m going to really look hard at him for everything, because that’s how good he is.”

Clinton added that she was thrilled to have his endorsement, and the endorsement of his twin brother, Texas congressman Joaquín Castro.

Palomarez also asked Clinton to commit to defend Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration, which has shielded millions of undocumented immigrants from deportation. Clinton said she would, and vowed to pass comprehensive reform.

“Immigration is good for America,” Clinton told Palomarez. “Immigration built our country. Immigration has provided a pathway to opportunity and I daresay the vast majority of Americans regardless of political affiliation have an immigrant in a parent, grandparent or great-grandparents.”

Clinton has called for a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the US. During the Democratic primary debate on Tuesday, she said supported moves by states to allow undocumented immigrants to access health care exchanged under the Affordable Care Act.

Clinton sees Latino voters as crucial for her campaign’s success, much as it was for President Obama in 2008 and 2012. Coinciding with Hispanic Heritage month, Clinton has begun a new push to organize Latino voters ahead of the early primary contests in those states.

In addition to Castro, Clinton has received high-profile endorsements from Hispanic celebrities, including singer Marc Anthony and actor Salma Hayek, who have started campaigning for her on social media. Clinton was also endorsed by longtime Hispanic labor organizer Dolores Huerta.

Clinton maintains strong support among the Latino community – a Gallup poll this summer found she was the only Democratic candidate widely known and popular among Hispanic people.

But her chief rival, Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, said recently that he is “moving very aggressively” to court Hispanic voters and peel away some of that support. In a recent appearance in Tucson, Arizona, Sanders called for immigration reforms that would prioritize keeping families together and protect the nation’s estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants from deportation.

At Thursday’s Latinos for Hillary organizing event, Clinton walked on stage to Jennifer Lopez’s Let’s Get Loud, and stood at a podium adorned with a campaign sign that read “Estoy Contigo”.

“I gotta tell you, I love being La Hillary – I promise I will keep working on my pronunciation – but I’m not just La Hillary. I’m tu Hillary,” Clinton told the boisterous crowd.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Hillary Clinton supporter Maria Anita Monsivaiz shows off her hair style at the campaign rally. Photograph: Darren Abate/Reuters

Clinton lambasted Republicans’ “offensive” rhetoric on immigration and immigrants, noting Donald Trump’s remarks that immigrants from Mexico are rapists and drug-dealers and the debate over the term “anchor baby”. Clinton promised to “continue calling out that kind of hateful speech whenever and wherever I see it”, to thunderous applause.

“Latinos and Latinas,” Clinton said, raising her voice above the applause. “You’re not strangers. You’re not intruders – you’re our neighbors, our friends, our families.”



Laying out her vision, Clinton said as president she wants to raise incomes for middle and working class families, close the pay gap, make college more affordable and take on the National Rifle Association. On immigration, Clinton reiterated the campaign promise to pass comprehensive reform. “And if Congress still refuses to act, I will go even further,” she said.

Castro shared an anecdote about watching Obama on TV with his young daughter and telling her that she too could be president of the United States. He said she corrected him, and said: “That’s for boys.”

“I told her … nah uh uh, girl,” Castro said. “You could be a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, a teacher. You can be anything you want. I told her, Carina, you can be president too ... So I look forward to election night next year.”