Bobby Pulido | Courtesy photo
In a bold move to regain ground in South Texas, Politico reports Democrats are recruiting Tejano music sensation Bobby Pulido to challenge Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz for Texas’ 15th Congressional District. Pulido, a Latin Grammy-winning singer-songwriter beloved across the Southwest, is said to be seriously considering the race after completing his farewell tour, according to Politico with sources familiar with the recruiting process.
Pulido, who announced last year his plans to retire from music and transition into politics, has not yet revealed the specific position he intends to pursue. However, his name has become synonymous with the idea of revitalizing Democratic prospects in the Rio Grande Valley, a region that has seen increasing Republican dominance in recent years.
The district, which stretches from McAllen north toward San Antonio, has become significantly more Republican since Rep. De La Cruz flipped the seat in 2022. In 2020, Donald Trump won the district by just three points, but by 2024, his margin of victory expanded to roughly 18 points. Despite this shift, Democrats believe Pulido could help them win back the seat, thanks to his high name recognition and broad appeal.
Former Democratic Rep. Filemon Vela, who previously represented a neighboring district until 2022, told Politico, “I have strongly encouraged Bobby to run for Texas 15. His professional popularity, his political acumen, and his center-right disposition make him the ideal candidate for that district. The Democratic Party needs to start getting smart about the candidates that we put forth. Bobby will take that seat back.”
Pulido is expected to campaign on moderate positions, particularly on hot-button issues like immigration and oil and gas policies. His entry into the race would be bolstered by his already strong public profile, which includes recent performances like his halftime show at a Houston Texans NFL playoff game.
De La Cruz, a former insurance agent, narrowly defeated Democrat Michelle Vallejo in two consecutive elections. Vallejo’s attempt to pivot rightward on immigration in her 2024 campaign failed to win back lost supporters, leading to a 14-point loss.
Texas’ 15th District lies between the seats of Democratic Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez, both of whom faced growing Republican margins at the presidential level in 2024. While some Democrats remain hopeful the district’s rightward shift is a temporary trend driven by Trump’s influence, others, including Cuellar and Gonzalez, have expressed concern that national Democratic positions on issues like abortion and transgender rights may be alienating voters in the heavily Catholic region.
Democrats are hoping that Pulido, a native of Edinburg and the son of Tejano legend Roberto Pulido, can reinvigorate the party in the region. Pulido’s emotional announcement in November about his decision to enter politics underscores his deep-rooted connection to the community. “Growing up I was always intrigued by the idea of public service,” he said during a live-streamed announcement. “In 2026, I’ll be running for public office in the attempt to fulfill my lifelong dream to serve my people.”
As this recruitment effort heats up, all eyes will be on Pulido to see if he decides to formally enter the race and take on De La Cruz in what promises to be a highly competitive contest for South Texas’ future.
Follow Tejano Nation on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with everything Tejano. Listen to new Tejano music first with our Spotify playlists and iHeartRadio podcast.