Castro, Joaquin

Joaquin Castro has represented Texas's 20th congressional district, which covers a significant portion of San Antonio, since 2013. Born and raised in San Antonio, he developed an interest in public service through his parents' community activism. He graduated with honors from Stanford University and earned a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. Before entering federal office, he served five terms in the Texas House of Representatives, where he held leadership roles in committees focused on higher education and the judiciary. He also practiced law alongside his twin brother, Julian Castro.

In the U.S. House, Castro is a prominent voice on national security and international relations. He holds key assignments on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He serves as the Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. His legislative work often addresses global stability and government accountability, with sponsored bills including the ARMAS Act of 2023 and the Transparency in Government Contracts Act.

Recognized for his legislative productivity, Castro was ranked as the most effective House Democrat in the 119th Congress by the Center for Effective Lawmaking. Beyond his committee work, he has taken on significant political roles, such as serving as the campaign chair for his brother's 2020 presidential bid. Throughout his tenure, he has remained focused on issues involving intelligence oversight, cyber security, and strengthening diplomatic ties across East Asia and the Pacific.