Julián for the Future

(page updated December 18, 2019)

Headquarters: San Antonio, TX
formal announcement Jan. 12, 2019; exploratory committee announced Dec. 12, 2018.
https://julianforthefuture.com  |  FEC.
staff press releases.  also note from Jan. 2019: The campaign is paying interns and supporting unionization [ICYMI].

Candidate  Julián Castro  timeline

Wife  Erica Lira Castro

Campaign Chairman  U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro

(announced Jan. 12, 2019) Represents TX 20th CD., Twin brother of Secretary Julián Castro and was born and raised in San Antonio. Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and serves on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Campaign Manager  Maya Rupert

(announced Jan. 12, 2019)  Executive director of Castro's Opportunity First PAC from Aug. 2018.  Senior director for policy and managing director for the D.C. office of the Center for Reproductive Rights, Feb. 2007-Aug. 2008.  Senior policy advisor (Jan 2016-Jan. 2017) and chief of staff for the Office of General Counsel (June-Dec. 2015) at HUD.  Policy director at the National Center for Lesbian Rights, May 2010-May 2015.  Associate at Sidley Austin LLP, 2007-10.  Judicial clerk at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Sept. 2006-Aug. 2007.  J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law, 2006; B.A. in political science, philosophy from UC Santa Barbara, 2003.  twitter

Deputy Campaign Manager for Delegate Strategy and Special Projects  Mili Gosar

(Sept. 2019; started in Mar. 2019 as director of voting and delegate strategy)  National voter protection director for the DSCC, Feb.-Dec. 2018.  Voter protection director on Doug Jones for Senate (AL), Nov.-Dec. 2017.  Director of the voter registration department for Harris County, Texas, Jan.-Oct. 2017.  Voter protection director for Hillary for Iowa/Iowa Democratic Party, July-Nov. 2016.  Assistant Attorney General in the Open Records Division of the Texas Attorney General, Jan. 2015-July. 2016.  Regional political director on the Wendy Davis for Governor campaign, Sept.-Nov. 2014.  Account executive at Terlingua Group in Houston, Dec. 2009-Nov. 2010.   J.D. from University of Houston Law Center, 2014; undergraduate degree from American University, 2009.  twitter

Political Director  Natalie Montelongo

(announced Feb. 25, 2019)  Comes to the campaign from position as national campaign strategist for immigrant rights at the ACLU, from Feb. 2018.  National organizing director at Voto Latino, March 2017-Jan. 2018.  Colorado political director on Hillary for America, April-Nov. 2016.   Special assistant to the U.S. Trade Representative, July 2014-July 2015.  Associate at Podesta Group, April 2013-June 2014.  Staffer on the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, Jan.-April 2013.  Project Coordinator for the International Chamber of Commerce's Banking Commission, Jan.-Dec. 2011.  M.A. in international relations and diplomacy from American Graduate School in Paris, and M.A. in strategic negotiation from Universite Paris Sud, 2010; bachelor's degree in political science from St. Mary's University, 2008.  twitter

?Senior Political Advisor  Matthew Jones

Longtime Castro aide.  San Antonio native.

Organizing Director  Lillie Catlin

(announced April 15, 2019)  Deputy organizing director (Sept. 2018-April 2019), associate digital organizing director (Apr.-Aug. 2018) and digital organizing strategist (Apr. 2017-Apr. 2018) for the ACLU.  Youth vote director for the North Carolina Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign, July-Nov. 2016.  Regional organizing director with the Democratic Party of Virginia Coordinated Campaign, May-June 2016.  Regional organizing director (Feb.-April 2016) and started as an organizer in Iowa City (April 2015-Feb. 2016) on Hillary for America.  Regional field director in Council Bluffs on the Iowa Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign, April-Nov. 2014.  Field organizer on Jennifer Wexton for State Senate (VA) Dec. 2013-Jan. 2014.  Campus organizer on Terry McAuliffe for Governor (VA), Aug.-Nov. 2013.  Campus team leader for Organizing for America, Sept.-Nov. 2012.  B.A. in political science, sociology from Bryn Mawr College, 2013.  twitter

State Programs Director  Lauren Reyes

(from June 2019; initially NH organizing director, announced Feb. 25, 2019)  Coordinated Campaign field director (Jan.-Nov. 2018) and a regional field director (July-Nov. 2017) for the Democratic Party of Virginia.  Regional field director on Jon Ossoff for Congress (GA), March-June 2017.  Field organizer in Greensboro for the North Carolina Coordinated Campaign, Aug.-Nov. 2016.  Legal consultant and director of social marketing for The Quattro Firm in West Palm Beach, June 2015-May 2016.  J.D. from Charlotte School of Law, 2014; B.S. degrees in anthropology and criminal justice from University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 2011.  twitter

Senior Advisor for Communications and Digital  Jennifer Fiore

(announced Jan. 12, 2019)  Served the same role on the Opportunity First PAC.  Castro's Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (Aug. 2016-Jan. 2017) and director of strategic communications (Sept. 2015-Aug. 2016) at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Vice president for digital strategy at West End Strategy Team, Nov. 2014-Sept. 2015.  Executive director of Campaign to Unload, Oct. 2013-Sept. 2015.  VP for public affairs at Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Jan.-Sept. 2013.  Advisor and editorial director at BlastRoots, Inc., Nov. 2011-Feb. 2013.  On hiatus, Mom.  Director of content and operations forr AOL Latin America, Sept. 2000-Sept. 2001; senior programming manager at AOL, Sept. 1997-Sept. 2000.  M.A. in liberal studies from Georgetown University, 2005; B.A. in journalism from The Evergreen State College, 1994.  twitter

Communications Director and National Press Secretary  Sawyer Hackett

(from Dec. 2019; previously national press secretary and started as deputy national press secretary)  Communications director to U.S. Rep. David Price (NC) from July 2017 and deputy campaign manager on Price's 2018 re-election campaign.  Assistant press secretary (Aug. 2016-Jan. 2017) and special assistant (Sept. 2014-Aug. 2016)  at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  National advance team on Hillary for America, Oct.-Nov. 2016.  Associate in Presidential Personnel Office at The White House, May 2013-Jan. 2014.  B.A. in political science and government from James Madison University, 2014.  twitter

Deputy Communications Director for Policy and Strategy  Alex Sarabia

(announced July 2019)  Communications and policy advisor to San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg from July 2018.  Fulbright Scholar in Mexico City, Aug. 2017-July 2018.  Fellow with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Aug. 2014-May 2015.  Intern in the Office of then-Mayor Castro, MayJuly 2014.M.P.P. from University of Chicago, 2017. B.A. in economics from Boston College, 2014.  twitter

Deputy Communications Director  Sebastian Kitchen

(announced July 2019)  Press secretary/senior spokesman on Bill Nelson for Senate/Florida Democratic Party from Mar. 2018.  Communications director on Doug Jones for Senate, Sept.-Dec. 2017.  Investigative and government reporter for the Florida Times Union, May 2015-May 2017.  Government reporter for the Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY), Dec. 2013-Mar. 2015.  Assistant metro editor/state government for the Montgomery Advertiser, Apr. 2008-Dec. 2013.  Capital bureau reporter for the Mobile Press-Register, Aug. 2006-Apr. 2008.  Reporter for the Montgomery Advertiser, Aug. 2004-Aug. 2006.  Reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Aug. 2000-Aug. 2004.  B.A. in mass communications from Texas Tech University, 2001.  twitter

Deputy Press Secretary  Liza Acevedo

(announced July 2019)  Spokesperson and strategic communications advisor for New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Sept. 2018-July 2019.  Deputy press secretary for Gov. Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy, Jan.-Sept. 2018.  Director of communications in the New York State Senate, July 2015-Dec. 2017.  Technical sourcing intern on Hillary for America, May-July 2015.  B.A. in economics from Wheaton College (MA), 2015.  twitter

Senior Advisor for Digital  Julia Ager

(announced April 15, 2019)  Founder (Dec. 2018) and CEO of Sapphire Strategies.  Chief digital officer (Jan. 2018-Feb. 2019) and digital director (Mar. 2015-Dec. 2017) at the DCCC.  Deputy digital director (May 2013-Mar. 2015) and digital copywriter (May 2012-May 2013) at the DSCC.  Account executive at Salsa Labs, Inc. Feb. 2011-May 2012.  Political writer at the Mack | Crounse Group, LLC, July-Nov. 2010.  B.A. in political science from Rice University.  twitter

Digital Director  Brielle Insler

(May 2019)  Managing partner at Düable Brand Trust in San Antonio, Mar. 2011.  Owner of Behold Visual, LLC, 2011-13.  Web designer for LexisNexis, July 2008-Mar. 2011.  Photographer assistant at Lindner Studio, Aug. 2007-July 2008.  Shadow artist at Animation Collective, Sept. 2006-Aug. 2007.  B.A. in fine art, photography from Marist College, 2006.

Digital Manager  Paris Moran

(Sept. 2019, started as a digital intern, June-Aug. 2019)  B.S. in media, culture and communications from New York University, 2019.  twitter

Creative Director  Ashley Fairbanks

(July 2019)  Anishinaabe artist, organizer, and digital strategist.  Creative director for the 100% Campaign. In the 2018 cycle Fairbanks served as digital director on Ilhan Omar's congressional campaign; communications director on Erin Murphy's campaign for governor (MN).  Director of narrative and network building at Voices For Racial Justice.  Policy aide in the City of Minneapolis.  A founding member and artistic director of AMP: Art | Music | Politics.  Graduate of University of Minnesota, studies in Ojibwe language and political science.  Grew up in South Minneapolis.  twitter

Director of Scheduling and Advance  Shereen Zaid

(announced Feb. 25, 2019)  Oversaw scheduling and advance for the statewide slate of candidates for the Texas Democratic Party in 2018. .Director of events at The Hill, April-Nov. 2017.  Advance on Hillary for America, July-Nov. 2016.  Convention strategist for the American Institute of Architects, Jan.-June 2016.  Director of events for Campaigns & Elections, Aug. 2013-March 2015.  Events planner at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, Nov. 2012-July 2013.  Events associate at the Center for American Progress, Nov. 2011-Nov. 2012.  Midwest finance assistant at the DCCC, May-Oct. 2011.  Finance assistant at the Bonner Group, April 2010-May 2011.  Organizer with SEIU, June 2009-April 2010.  Event planner for  9/11 Interfaith Unity Walk, May-Oct. 2009.  Field organizer on Rice for U.S. Senate, Feb.-Nov. 2008.   Studied arts and sciences, religioius studies at the University of Oklahoma.

Personal Aide to Secretary Castro  Billy Czerwinski

(Jan. 2019) Previously special assistant at Castro's Opportunity First PAC, Apr.-Nov. 2018.  Bachelor's degree in CLEG from American University, 2018.  twitter

Finance Chairman  Scott Atlas

(announced Jan. 12, 2019)  Houston-based lawyer and legal consultant. President of Atlas Counsel Search, LLC from May 2012; mediator/arbitrator from Dec. 2011; consultant from Jan. 2011. Finance chairman for Bill White’s Texas gubernatorial campaign, Dec. 2008-Nov. 2010. Partner at Weil Gotshal and Manges, April 2006-Aug. 2009. Partner at Vinson and Elkins, Nov. 1976-March 2006. Chair of the section of litigation for the American Bar Association, Aug. 2002-Aug. 2003. Harris County coordinator for both U.S. Sen. Lloyd Bentsen’s reelection campaign in 1988, and the Dukakis/Bentsen ticket. J.D. from The University of Texas at Austin, 1975; B.A. in math and economics from Yale University, 1971.

Senior Advisor  Jeremy S. Gold

(Jan. 2019)  Also served as finance director for Castro's Opportunity First PAC.  President at The Gold Standard since Dec. 2008.  B.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin.  San Antonio native.

National Finance Director  Joseph Czajkowski

(announced July 2019)  Finance director at the Arizona Democratic Party from Mar. 2018.  Campaign consultant from Feb. 2015.  Deputy campaign manager on Felecia for Arizona, Dec. 2013-Nov. 2014.  Deputy campaign manager on Kate Gallego for Phoenix, Apr.-Nov. 2013.  Field organizer for the Arizona Democratic Party, July-Nov. 2012.  Studied biochemistry, political science at University of Arizona.  twitter

Deputy Finance Director  Benjamin Staton

Finance director on DeJear for Iowa (Secretary of State), June-Nov. 2018.  Campaign manager on Friends of Jake Castanza (IL), Jan.-Apr. 2018.  Deputy finance director on Justin Fairfax for Lt. Governor of Virginia, June-Nov. 2017.  Finance director on Sheeley for Delegate (VA), Mar.-June 2017.  Field organizer in Steamboat Springs for the Colorado Democratic Party, Aug.-Nov. 2016.  Finance assistant at Benchmark Strategies, Mar.-Aug. 2016.  Project assistant at the National Democratic Institute, July 2015-Mar. 2016.  Intern at Benchmark Strategies, Jan.-Dec. 2014.  Bachelor's degree in history from The George Washington University, 2014.  Also, field organizer in Falls Church, VA on Obama for America, Aug.-Nov. 2012.

Finance Assistant  Alejandro Barragán

(Feb. 2019) Political aide on Joaquin Castro for Congress, Apr. 2018-Feb. 2019.  Associate at RealCo Micro VC in San Antonio, Sept. 2017-Apr. 2018.  B.A. in economics from the University of Texas at San Antonio.  twitter

Finance Assistant  Cassie Baars

Experience includes deputy campaign manager on Friends of Jake Castanza (IL).

Chief Operating Officer  Greg Diamond

(announced Feb. 25, 2019)  At the DCCC from June 2014 as deputy COO in the 2018 cycle (from Feb. 2017), state operations director (April 2015-Jan. 2017) and national field operations director (June 2014-April 2015).  Director of operations at Brass Tactics, LLC, June 2013-June 2014.  Operations director at Organizing for America-Iowa, July 2012-Jan. 2013; Midwest regional operations director at Obama for America in Chicago, Nov. 2011-July 2012.  Operations and scheduling/advance director at Bonamici for Congress in Portland, Aug.-Nov. 2011.  Operations and scheduling director at Kitzhaber 2010, Oct. 2009-Nov. 2010.  Field organizer and data tec. at Oregonians for Health Security, July 2008-March 2009.  Language instructor in Japan, Aug. 2004-April 2008.  B.A. in political science from University of Oregon, 2005.  From Western Oregon.

Assistant Treasurer, Exploratory Committee:  Christopher Koob

Consultant at Koob Consulting in San Antonio since Dec. 2014.  Senior advisor to Castro at HUD, Sept.-Nov. 2014; senior advisor to Mayor Castro, May-July 2014.  Principal at Capitol Compliance Associates, Inc. in Washington, Mar. 2011-May 2014.  Director of compliance at the DSCC, Sept. 2008-Mar. 2011.  Director of finance convention operations for the DNC, April-Sept. 2008.  Mid-Atlantic sales manager at New Media Strategies, July 2007-Mar. 2008.  COO at Securing America's Future Energy, Jan.-July 2007.  Finance chief of staff at the DSCC, Feb. 2005-Jan. 2007.  Finance chief of state on John Kerry for President, Mar. 2004-Feb. 2005.  Political chief of staff on Joe Lieberman for President, Jan. 2003-Mar. 2004; director of operations of Lieberman's ROCPAC, Aug. 2001-Jan. 2003.  National development director at the New Democrat Network, Jan.-Aug. 2001.  Deputy to the senior advisor at the DNC, Aug.-Dec. 2000.  Deputy CT finance director on Lieberman for Senate, June 1999-Aug. 2000.  Studied at University of Connecticut.

Endorsement

Latino Victory Fund (announced Aug. 1, 2019)

Iowa State Director  Cynthia Sebian-Lander

(announced Feb. 23, 2019)  Campaign manager on DeJear for Iowa (Secretary of State), Jan.-Nov. 2018.  Campaign manager on Sara Dady for Congress (IL), Aug. 2017-Jan. 2018.  Campaign manager on Tilly for Delegate (VA), Feb.-June 2017.  GOTV director in Iowa on Hillary for America, Aug.-Nov. 2016.  Project specialist at the League of Women Voters, Jan. 2015-July 2016.  Voter education director on Alaska Victory '14, July-Nov. 2014.  Field director on Mark Levine for Congress (VA), Feb.-June 2014.  ACA deputy canvass manager for Planned Parenthood, Nov. 2013-Feb. 2014.  Northern Virginia director for Every Child Matters, April-Nov. 2013.  Project organizer for Virginia Organizing, Nov. 2012-March 2013.  Field organizer in Fairfax, VA on Obama for America, April-Nov. 2012.  Wind energy field organizer for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Feb.-April 2012.  Organizer for AFSCME, Nov. 2010-Nov. 2011.  Field organizer for the New Hampshire Democratic Party, Aug.-Nov. 2010.  M.S. in environmental advocacy and organizing from Antioch University New England, 2010; B.A. in environmental studies from Washington College, 2007.  twitter

Organizing Director  Marika Bresler

(announced Feb. 23, 2019)  Deputy campaign manager (Sept.-Nov. 2018) and campaign manager (Jan.-Aug. 2018) on Colin Allred for Congress (TX).  Field director on Ben Hixon for Delegate (VA), Sept.-Nov. 2017.  Deputy Coordinated director (Sept.-Nov. 2016) and Coordinated organizing director (May-Nov. 2016) for the Missouri Democratic Party.  Contractor (April 2016), Iowa field director (Oct. 2015-March 2016) and Iowa youth vote director (April 2015-March 2016) for NextGen Climate.  Campus regional field director/youth organizing director for Battleground Texas, May-Nov. 2014.  Field organizer (Aug.-Nov. 2012) and field organizing fellow (June-Aug. 2012) on Obama for America in Athens, Ohio.  Bachelor's degree in public relations, advertising, applied communication from Ohio University, 2014.

Field organizers include

Eliseo Flores  twitter
Alec Litofsky  twitter

Endorsements

(press releases)
announced July 8, 2019...
Rob Barron, Des Moines School Board member and Founder Latino Political Network
Mary Campos, Longtime Activist and Community Leader
Steve Villatoro, Community Leader and Vice Chair of Latino Caucus
Joe Henry, Longtime Leader and Activist in Latino Community
Jose Ibarra, Storm Lake Councilman
Bonnie Brown, Community Leader and SCC Member
Sally (Araceli) Goode, Community Leader and Activist

announced Aug. 29, 2019...
Lindsey Ellickson, Cedar Rapids community leader and state central committee member of the Iowa Democratic Party
Dave Barajas, Marshalltown community leader
Jonathon Muñoz, LULAC Council 308 President, LULAC Iowa State Parliamentarian and Iowa City Human Rights Commissioner
Andrew Bribriesco, Legal advisor for LULAC Iowa and workers’ rights attorney  in Iowa City
Don “Bart” Bartholomew, Former Fremont County Supervisor
Maria Mellado, Mount Pleasant LULAC Council President
Dawn Martinez Oropeza, Community leader and arts activist in Des Moines
Adalberto “Beto” Castrejon, Former president of the University of Northern Iowa Hispanic Latino Student Union

announced Nov. 9, 2019...
M. Eva Savala, Quad Cities Community Leader and Retired UAW Leader
Thomas Lecaque, Grandview Professor, Des Moines
Pastor Eduard Carmenate, Des Moines
Antonio Ruiz, Des Moines Business Owner
Juan Meraz, Perry Community Leader
Jesus Hernandez, Urbandale Business Owner
Alfonso Medina, Jr., Marshalltown Business Owner 
David Calderon, Community Leader
Holly Brown, AAPI Caucus Chair

announced Nov. 14, 2019...
Kyla Patterson, Chair of the Stonewall Caucus of the Iowa Democratic Party
Monica Vallejo, President of the Cedar Rapids LULAC
Emily Shields, community leader

announced Nov. 23, 2019...
Mary Jo Riesberg and Vernon Windsor, chair and vice chair of the Lee County Democrats
Nicholas Schnerre, Des Moines community leader

New Hampshire State Director  State Rep. Manny Espitia

(announced Feb. 25, 2019)  State Representative in Nashua's Ward 4 (Hillsborough 31), elected Nov. 2018.  Executive director fo the Nashua Democratic City Committee in 2018.  Legislative director for Free and Fair NH.  Constituent services coordinator for U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan in Nashua.  Assistant to Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess, 2016.  Organizer on Hillary for America's New Hampshire primary campaign.  Worked in Texas for the DCCC.  Worked on President Obama's re-election campaign in New Mexico.  Graduated from Princeton in 2011.  twitter

Organizing Director  Eliot Beckham

(Aug. 2019; announced Sept. 13, 2019)  Chief of staff to Georgia State Rep. Matthew Wilson, Jan.-Aug. 2019; campaign manager on Matthew Wilson for Georgia House District 80, Mar.-Nov. 2018.  Field organizer on Wendy Gooditis for Virginia House District 10, Sept.-Nov. 2017.  Field organizer on Jon Ossoff for Congress, Mar.-June 2017.  Deputy director for policy for the Georgia Senate Democratic Caucus, Jan. 2016-Mar. 2017.  Also field director on Debby Peppers for Georgia Senate District 54, Nov. 2016-Jan. 2017 and field director on Erick Allen for Georgia House District 40, July-Nov. 2016.  Deputy field director on John Ernst for Mayor (Brookhaven, GA), Oct.-Nov. 2015.  Canvass manager on Taylor Bennett for Georgia House District 80, June-Aug. 2015.  B.S. in international relations and affairs from Georgia Tech, 2015.  twitter

Deputy Organizing Director  Reshard el-Shair

(announced Sept. 13, 2019)  A regional organizing director on Gillibrand 2020 (reported by WMUR's John DiStaso on June 13, 2019, campaign ended Aug. 28).  Founder (Aug. 2016) of Summit Campaigns in Atlanta.  Political organizer on Jon Ossoff for Congress (GA-6) May-June 2017.  Verification specialist for New Georgia Project, 2014.  Field organizer in Cleveland/Akron for Grassroots Voter Outreach, Nov. 2012.  Associate canvass director in Cleveland for Environment Ohio, June-Oct. 2012.  B.A. in political science from Oberlin College, 2012.  twitter

Endorsements

(press release)
announced Aug. 16, 2019...
Former Concord City Councilor Norm Patenaude
Nashua Alderman Tom Lopez

          

PRE-CAMPAIGN
Opportunity First PAC leadership team (announced Aug. 8, 2018)

---

ADVERTISEMENT
 

Copyright © 2018, 2019 Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action. All rights reserved.