Bobby Pulido
Latin Grammy award-winning Tejano music icon Bobby Pulido has officially won the Democratic nomination for Texas’ 15th Congressional District, according to unofficial primary results Tuesday night.
The Associated Press called the race just before 9:30 p.m., with Pulido leading decisively over emergency physician Dr. Ada Cuellar.
With 70% of precincts reporting, unofficial results show Pulido earning 26,511 votes to Cuellar’s 12,276 — a commanding margin that positions the longtime entertainer for a high-profile November battle.
CBS News also projected Pulido as the winner of the Democratic primary.
Pulido now faces an uphill challenge against incumbent Republican Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz, who is running unopposed in her party. The 15th District’s boundaries were redrawn in 2025 during mid-decade redistricting efforts that critics say were designed to further favor Republicans following a push from President Donald Trump.
From Tejano Stage to Political Arena
Pulido, known for his decades-long career in Tejano music and as a Latin Grammy winner, first announced his retirement from music in November 2024 with plans to enter public service. In September 2025, he formally launched his campaign for Texas’ 15th Congressional District, signaling a dramatic shift from the stage to the political spotlight.
Speaking to supporters at his watch party in Pharr on Tuesday night, Pulido reflected on a campaign journey that he says transformed him.
“You sit in living rooms and kitchens and hear what’s really happening to our communities,” Pulido said. “I’ll be honest with you, this experience has changed me. This campaign so far has been everything I imagined and so much more than I ever expected.”
He described encounters with families across South Texas, including a grandmother he met in Falfurrias whose concerns centered not on politics, but on her grandchildren’s future.
“She talked about her grandkids, about wanting them to have a future here, about working hard her whole life and just wanting things to feel a little easier for the next generation,” Pulido shared. “That moment, so many moments like it, are why we’re here tonight.”
“The Real Work Starts Now”
Pulido emphasized unity and grassroots connection as pillars of his campaign, rejecting narratives that South Texas is politically divided.
“South Texas isn’t divided the way people say it is,” he told supporters. “People want leadership that shows up. People want someone who listens. People want someone who will fight — not for headlines, but for results.”
While celebrating the primary win, Pulido made it clear that November is the true test.
“Yes, winning a primary is an honor. Winning in November is a mission,” he said. “We’re running to fight for working families, for affordability, for opportunity, for respect. For every community. From the valley to the ranch lands.”
Pulido closed his speech with a rallying call to supporters: “Tonight, celebrate. Be proud of what we’ve built. But tomorrow morning, we get back to work. Let’s flip this seat. Let’s make history and let’s show the country exactly who we are. God bless South Texas.”
The November general election will determine whether the Tejano star-turned-candidate can translate his primary momentum into a historic congressional victory in one of Texas’ most closely watched districts.
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