Raúl Castro Dead: First Hispanic Governor Of Arizona Dies At 98

Raúl H. Castro died in his sleep last night at the age of 98, a family spokesman confirmed on Friday. Castro was Arizona’s first Hispanic Governor, and also served as U.S. ambassador on in three separate countries: El Salvador, Bolivia, and Argentina. During his Latin American assignments, Raúl H. Castro was sometimes confused with Fidel Castro or his brother Raúl Castro (who is alive and well, currently attending the 7th Summit of the Americas in Panama City). Some called him “Yankee Castro” to keep it stragiht. In 1974, R. H. Castro wone the Arizona governor’s race as a Democrat in a deeply Republican State.

R.H. Castro was born in Mexico in Cananea, Sonora, and later immigrated to the United States where he became a citizen. He struggled against poverty and prejudice to attend law school at the University of Arizona, teaching Spanish on the side to pay his bills. After graduation, Castro became a Pima county attorney and later and then a judge on that county’s court. He got his start on the national stage when President Johnson appointed him ambassador to El Salvador in 1964.

"Arizonans will never forget Governor Castro. He was an honorable public servant, a history-maker, a beloved family man and a strong friend and fighter for Arizona, said Doug Ducey, current Arizona Governor, in a statement Friday. “Whether as a county attorney, a superior court judge, a United States ambassador or - as we will best remember him - our 14th governor, his life and legacy of service is forever ingrained in our history. The thoughts and prayers of all Arizonans are with Governor Castro's family and loved ones during this difficult time."

Castro prided himself in getting out the vote among Hispanics and Native Americans. Even in his ninties he was encouraging Latinos to get to the polls, as in this 2014 Get Out The Vote video.