Texas mayor tapped to lead HUD

Obama wants current housing secretary for budget office

President Barack Obama introduces San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro (far left) as his choice to take Shaun Donovan’s (left) position as secretary of housing and urban development during an announcement Friday at the White House where he was joined by Vice President Joe Biden.
President Barack Obama introduces San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro (far left) as his choice to take Shaun Donovan’s (left) position as secretary of housing and urban development during an announcement Friday at the White House where he was joined by Vice President Joe Biden.

WASHINGTON -- In a second-term Cabinet reshuffle, President Barack Obama tapped San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro on Friday to be the nation's next housing secretary, giving a prominent national platform to one of the Democratic Party's most celebrated up-and-comers.

Joined by Castro and Vice President Joe Biden, Obama also announced he was nominating current Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan to run the White House budget office -- an opening Obama created when he asked his former budget chief to take over the Health and Human Services Department last month.

"Just because you are of modest means does not mean that your aspirations or your opportunity ought to be limited, and it certainly means you can have the talent to succeed and achieve the American Dream," Castro said as he accepted the nomination in the State Dining Room of the White House.

Castro, 39, was propelled into the national spotlight in 2012 when Obama chose him to deliver the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. Friday's announcement gives another major boost to Castro's profile, just as Democrats are considering him as a potential vice presidential candidate in 2016.

As a Democrat, Castro's options for climbing the political ladder were severely constrained in Texas, where every statewide office is held by a Republican and Democrats haven't won a statewide race in 20 years. In elevating Castro to a Cabinet-level post, Obama gives Castro perhaps his best chance to establish his credibility nationally.

"The national scene in Washington is where politicians go to cut their teeth for any sort of national aspirations," said Maria Cardona, a Democratic strategist who advised Hillary Rodham Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign. "This will give him an opportunity to show off what he can do."

Castro, who is Mexican-American, would become one of the highest-ranking Hispanic officials in government if confirmed by the Senate. He is the son of a single mother, and attended Harvard Law School before serving three terms as San Antonio's mayor. His identical twin brother, Democrat Joaquin Castro, represents Texas in Congress.

Referring to Castro as an "all-star," Obama urged the Senate to confirm both Castro and Donovan quickly and without political games.

"They are proven leaders. They are proven managers. They are going to be effective, and most importantly, they've got huge heart," Obama said.

Donovan, 48, is highly regarded inside the White House as a strong manager. He is an affordable-housing advocate whose work overseeing the federal government's response to the destruction superstorm Sandy unleashed on the East Coast in October 2012 has earned praise from White House officials, including Obama.

Obama praised Donovan for making the housing agency more efficient, saving taxpayer dollars and building strong neighborhoods that have reduced homelessness.

"Here's the problem: When you're good at your job, people always want you to do even more," Obama said.

As director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, Donovan would have influence over administration policy and spending. If confirmed by the Senate as expected, Donovan will replace Sylvia Mathews Burwell, whom Obama recently tapped to become secretary of Health and Human Services after Kathleen Sebelius' resignation. Burwell is awaiting confirmation.

Obama had sought to add Castro to the administration in the past, but Castro said he decided keep the job he looked forward to while growing up. Castro handily won a third term in San Antonio last year.

Javier Palomarez, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said Castro is a "visionary leader" who has done more than anyone in San Antonio to address the city's housing needs.

"Mayor Castro is not only an exemplary leader within the Hispanic community, but by all measure, a well-suited candidate to lead the department," Palomarez said. "With great consistency, Mayor Castro has set aside political partisanship in the name of good policy decision making. We hope his confirmation process will proceed with that same collaborative spirit."

A Section on 05/24/2014

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