Castro brushes off talk of presidency

Instead of the presidency, HUD Secretary Julián Castro indicated some interest in being Texas governor. Instead of the presidency, HUD Secretary Julián Castro indicated some interest in being Texas governor. Photo: AP Photo: AP Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close Castro brushes off talk of presidency 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — Former San Antonio Mayor and HUD Secretary Julián Castro emphatically denied in a Sunday morning news show that he has any presidential aspirations.

“I'm not running for president,” Castro told ABC newsman Jim Avila. “I guarantee you that I am not going to run for president, probably ever.”

In a piece about his political aspirations, fueled by his move to D.C. as HUD secretary, Castro also downplayed speculation he could join Hilary Clinton in 2016 as her VP candidate.

“I don't believe that I am going to be vice president,” he said.

When Avila asked him why he moved to Washington, Castro replied, “I'm at HUD because the president asked if I would be interested in serving in this role.”

He said he found a lot of satisfaction in his role to bring more affordable housing to the country.

Castro told Avila that's he never thought about being president.

“I have never woken up in the morning and seen in my future when I look in the mirror and said, 'Oh, I think I'm going to be president.'”

But he didn't close the door on being Texas' governor.

“There were definitely mornings when I woke up and wished there was a different governor of Texas,” he said with a laugh. “That's fair to say.”

His twin, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, and their mom, Rosie Castro, also were interviewed for the segment. The congressman said that of the two, it would be Julián who might someday run for president.

Rosie Castro said she thought Julián would make a fine president.