HUD Secretary Julián Castro Doesn't See President in the Mirror

Oct. 12, 2014 — -- When Housing and Urban Development Secretary and rising Democratic star Julián Castro looks in the mirror, he says he doesn't see a president or vice president peering back.

"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,'" Castro told ABC News.

While Castro says he wants to focus on his work at HUD, his twin brother Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, has not shied away from presidential politics.

Joaquin Castro endorsed Hillary Clinton for a 2016 presidential run, as many have suggested that his brother would make a strong vice presidential candidate who could help deliver the Hispanic vote.

But that is another claim Julián Castro is quick to deny.

"I don't believe that I am going to be vice president," Castro said.

However, Castro hasn't dismissed a potential Texas gubernatorial campaign after he completes his term at HUD in two and a half years. When asked if he has woken up in the morning and thought about running, Castro didn't exactly say yes, but he didn't say no.

"There were definitely mornings when I woke up and wished that there were a different governor of Texas," Castro said.

In fact, Democratic pundit Donna Brazile said today on "This Week" that she is eager to show off her Castro support, despite the current campaign of Democrat Wendy Davis.

"No, no question. I have a button. There's no question. Castro for Governor 2018," Brazile said. "He is a rising star. He is the future face of not just the Democratic party, but American politics."

Castro, whom Obama once called an "all-star," grew up in west San Antonio and brings a unique perspective to his office.

"I'm the first HUD secretary that had a family member, a parent who lived in a housing project," Castro said.

Castro said he views housing as the link to greater opportunity and is pushing mortgage banks to loosen credit in an effort to revamp the housing market.

"It is too hard for hard-working, average Americans who are responsible and who are ready to own a home to get a loan," Castro said. "In fact, we estimate that there are about 13 million folks who ... under normal circumstances would be able to access credit for a home that today are basically shut out."

The Department of Housing and Urban Development employs about 8,500 people and is charged with overseeing housing needs and laws, including public housing and mortgage insurance.

"There's probably no upside politically of being at HUD," Castro said. "However there is tremendous upside in terms of the satisfaction of the work that we do in trying to create more opportunity in people's lives."

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