South Texas is preparing for an unexpected and very unusual political contest: Bobby Pulido, the Tejano music icon who marked an entire generation with the hit Desvelado, has announced that he will run for the Democratic Party nomination to represent District 15 in the U.S. Congress.
“You may know me as the singer Bobby Pulido, but I am José Roberto Pulido Jr., the son of an immigrant farmer and a proud son of Edinburg,” he said in a video posted on social media where, amid images of his family and the Texas countryside, he made clear his intention to speak out for his community.
From music to politics
With more than three decades on stage, awards such as the Latin Grammy, and international recognition that has made him one of the leading exponents of Texan music, Pulido has decided to start a new chapter in his life: moving from the microphone to legislative debate. The artist revealed that the decision was not improvised, but the result of months of reflection, conversations with his family, and talks with neighbors throughout South Texas.
In his message, he said he wants to defend a region that saw him grow up and that, according to him, has been divided by people who do not understand its culture or lifestyle. “I have spent years using my voice to bring people together, now I want to use it to fight for the place we call home,” he said.
The challenges he faces
The task will not be easy. District 15—which stretches from McAllen to the outskirts of San Antonio—has historically been Democratic territory, but in recent years it has shown a shift toward the Republicans. In 2024, Donald Trump won there by a significant margin, and the current congresswoman, Monica De La Cruz, consolidated that dominance with a landslide victory.
Before facing De La Cruz in a general election, Pulido will first have to win the Democratic primary, where he will face Dr. Ada Cuéllar, another local figure with strong support.
His proposals and vision
In recent interviews, Pulido has revealed the issues that will shape his campaign: the cost of living, access to healthcare, the local economy, and the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform. According to the singer, the lack of workers in key sectors such as agriculture and construction is not only a political problem but also an economic one that directly affects families in the district.
In addition, Pulido has insisted that he does not want to be pigeonholed as “blue” or “red,” referring to Democrats and Republicans. His proposal is to seek common ground that represents all South Texans, beyond political polarization.
From music idol to potential congressman
Born in 1973 in Edinburg, Texas, Bobby Pulido grew up in a family marked by music. His father, Roberto Pulido “El Primo,” was a pioneer in the evolution of the Texan genre, and Bobby continued that legacy with a career that took him to stages across the United States, Mexico, and Latin America.
Today, at 54, the singer of Se murió de amor says his calling to serve is what drives him to take this step. “I am not a career politician, I am a son of South Texas tired of seeing our communities left behind,” he said in one of his campaign messages.
With his foray into politics, Bobby Pulido not only surprises his musical fans, but also puts the spotlight on one of the most interesting races in the upcoming election cycle in Texas. The question now is: can the idol of Texan music turn his charisma and voice into a seat in Congress?