Ramblings' Journal

San Antonio mayoral candidate has twin brother stand in at parade

Julian Castro is running for mayor in San Antonio and is rather busy right in through here. Though his schedule is tightly packed, he still cannot be in two places at the same time.

Enter his brother, Joaquin.

Joaquin Castro took his place at a local parade, waving to the crowds.

As you can imagine, some folks don't like it.

Retired state appeals court judge Phil Hardberger, one of Castro's opponents, said he believes the parade appearance was dishonest and deceptive.

"If you're 18 years old and having a date, it might be a youthful prank when you swap out your brother. But when you're running for mayor of a city with 1.3 million people and sending in your brother as an impersonator ... I do see a problem with it," Hardberger said.

Castro doesn't feel that there was a problem.

Castro told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he had a conflicting event and didn't intend to deceive anyone.

"We can't help that we look like each other," said Castro, a City Council member and leading contender in next month's election.

San Antonio-based host Adam McManus will be discussing it and taking calls on his KSLR radio show at 5P ET/4P CT (AM 630 & streamed at KSLR.com).

Posted by mhking at April 21, 2005 05:17 PM