Character AppName: Pedro Castillo
Gender: Male
Age and DOB: October 19, 1969 (age 52 as of November 2021, 53 in January 2023)
Hometown: Pueblo, CO
Current Residence: Kersey, CO
Political Party: Democratic
Occupation: Farmer, Teacher, Labor Activist
Background: Born to poverty-stricken immigrant parents in Pueblo, Castillo was orphaned at an early age when his father committed suicide after his mother died of cancer, left untreated due to their meager salary being insufficient for medical funds. Sent north to Weld County to live with his relatives, who owned a small farm in Kersey, Castillo grew up working the fields in his spare time, walking hours a day to school in Greeley. Eventually attending CU Boulder beginning in 1993 after going through trade school, he earned a degree in education. In 2001, he would begin teaching Spanish and Humanities at Platte Valley High School, while also continuing to manage his family's farm, taking over duties from his ailing aunt and uncle. He began his involvement in politics in 2018, joining the Colorado teacher's strike and leading Weld County teachers in walking out as a prominent union member. A self-made man, Castillo is not wealthy, and lives frugally, still caring for his elderly aunt and maintaining his Kersey farm with his wife and children.
Political Record: Castillo voted for Bernie in 2016 and Biden in 2020, turned off by Bernie's social progressivism in his later run. A economic progressive who (privately) holds more socially conservative values, Castillo supports broad social spending initiatives (including Build Back Better, single-payer healthcare, increased education funding) and is ferociously in favor of unions, but is publicly neutral on issues such as abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.
Additional Information: Castillo is a devout Catholic. He has been registered as a member of the Democratic Party since 1991.
