Background and Education

Joaquin Castro was born on September 16, 1974, in San Antonio, Texas. A second-generation Mexican American, he grew up on the city's West Side and is a product of public education. His family's American journey began about a century ago when his grandmother, Victoria Castro, arrived in Texas as a young immigrant. Determined to create a better future, she often worked multiple jobs to support her daughter, Rosie Castro—Joaquin’s mother—and her grandchildren.

Inspired by his family's legacy of resilience and public service, Joaquin excelled in school, completing high school a year early. He went on to graduate with honors from Stanford University in 1996 and then earned his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 2000.

Political Career

After finishing law school, Castro returned to San Antonio and joined a private law firm. At age 28, he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives, serving five terms for District 125. Known for his advocacy on education and civil rights, Castro built a reputation as a thoughtful and effective legislator.

In 2012, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Texas’s 20th Congressional District, which encompasses a large portion of San Antonio and Bexar County. His legislative focus includes foreign affairs, healthcare, and economic opportunity. Joaquin Castro serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Intelligence Committee.

Family Ties and Public Service

Joaquin Castro is the twin brother of Julián Castro, who served as Mayor of San Antonio and later as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, under President Barack Obama. In 2020, Julián also ran for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States, with Joaquin serving as his campaign chairman.