Two weeks after he resoundingly won a third two-year term as mayor of San Antonio, Julian Castro is already being talked about as a future Democratic candidate for governor of Texas.
The growing Latino vote in the Lone Star State, coupled with the national interest in Castro since he delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention last year, would make him the most formidable candidate, his admirers say, if not for 2014, then certainly in 2018.
Republican Gov. Rick Perry may be wearing out his welcome with voters and is sure to face primary opposition next year after 13 years in office.
But should he win re-election, the Economist noted recently, Perry "in 2018 will be 68 years old and seeking a fifth term, while Mr. Castro will be a fresh face at 44. Sometimes the route to higher office involves knowing the right time to seek it."
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax.
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