http://www.politico.com/story/2014/05/julian-castro-white-house-cabinet-post-106790.html?hp=l2By MIKE ZAPLER | 5/17/14 10:07 AM EDT
San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, a rising star in Democratic national politics who’s even been mentioned as a possible vice presidential contender in 2016, is poised to accept an offer to serve in President Barack Obama’s cabinet, his hometown newspaper reported Saturday.
Castro “has signaled his willingness to begin a swift process of confirmation to the post,” including a vetting by the FBI that has already begun, San Antonio Express-News columnist Brian Chasnoff writes, citing knowledgeable sources.
The Express-News reported that this is the second time in as many years that Castro, who was elected mayor five years ago, has been approached by the White House about a cabinet job. He declined a chance to become transportation secretary, but privately “he’s said an offer from the president to serve as education secretary would have proven tougher to turn down,” Chasnoff writes.
The story, however, says it is unclear what position has been offered this time. Castro declined to comment to the newspaper.
Castro was chosen by Obama to give the keynote speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. He and his brother, Rep. Joaquin Castro, have garnered widespread attention as two up-and-comers in the Democratic Party.
Last week, Hillary Clinton was asked about the possibility of tapping Julian Castro or Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren as her running mate if the former secretary of state runs and wins the 2016 Democratic nomination.
“They’re both extraordinary leaders and great political advocates for a lot of what needs to be done in our country, and I admire both of them greatly,” Clinton told ABC.
Running a federal agency would make Castro a more plausible VP pick.
