Julian Castro discusses key issues in roundtable discussion in San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO - Democratic presidential hopeful Julian Castro was back in his hometown today to speak to a room full of journalists ahead of next week’s third Democratic debate.

The lobby at the San Antonio Express-News was packed with journalists eager to hear the only Latino candidate's stances on climate change, immigration and to see if he has what it takes to take on President Trump.

Castro dove right in and laid out his campaign's key stances on climate change.

“I have a climate plan that calls for going to clean renewable and zero emissions energy by 2035,” Castro said.

He says Texas is a renewable energy state and wants it to lead in the renewable economy. Compared to his Democratic opponents Castro’s campaign aims at reforming immigration by decriminalizing border crossings.

After two mass shootings in the Lone Star State less than a month apart, Castro is pushing for comments sense gun legislation.

Even though there is still a long way to go, Castro says if nominated as the Democratic candidate he can go to toe with President Trump.

"You can't take the bait every time because once he has he's doing that, then you're basically in his world and in his mode," Castro said. "You're not going to win. You're not gonna out-of-gutter Donald Trump."

The Democratic presidential candidate showdown will take place at Texas Southern University, on September 12th.