Julian Castro Won't Run For Governor Of Texas, Plans To Seek Reelection (VIDEO)

Rising Latino Star Won't Seek Statewide Office

The Democratic Party may have high hopes for Julian Castro, but he's fine where he is for the moment.

Contrary to some people's expectations, Castro announced Wednesday via YouTube that he'll seek reelection to a third term as mayor of San Antonio rather than running for governor of Texas, as some had expected.

"There's still a lot of work to do," Castro says in the video announcement. "And that's why on Feb. 2, I'm announcing my bid for reelection for mayor in 2013."

Castro's decision to remain a local politician rather than seek statewide office comes as the Democrats launch an effort to wrench control of the massive state from the GOP. While the state has been a reliable bastion of conservatism, liberals hope the skyrocketing Latino population, which leans Democratic, will make the party more competitive in coming years.

The program, called "Battleground Texas," will command a budget in the tens of millions of dollars, Politico reports, citing two unnamed sources.

The Democratic Party catapulted Castro to national prominence over the summer by selecting him as the first Latino to give the keynote address at the party's convention. Some have even speculated the 38-year-old Mexican-American politician might run for president.

Indeed, Castro's got an impressive résumé. The son of a Chicana activist, Castro holds a law degree from Harvard and was featured as one of Time Magazine's "40 Under 40" list of future leaders.

But for now, Castro says he's content to preside over a city of 1.4 million people two-and-a-half hours from the U.S.-Mexico border.

"There are exciting things that are happening right now in San Antonio," Castro says in the video announcement. "And every single day that I've been mayor, I've enjoyed coming to work."

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