Tejano Singer Turned Congressional Candidate Aims to Woo Back Latino Voters in South Texas

Bobby Pulido and Ada Cuellar face off in the Democratic primary for Texas' 15th Congressional District, a key battleground for the party's efforts to reconnect with disaffected Mexican American voters.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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As the country heads into another volatile election season, Texas' 15th Congressional District has become a testing ground for one of the biggest questions facing the Democratic Party: Can it win back Latino voters who swung right in recent elections? Tejano singer Bobby Pulido and emergency room physician Ada Cuellar are the leading Democratic candidates in the primary, both with compelling personal stories and the potential to appeal to a diverse electorate.

Why it matters

The race in Texas' 15th Congressional District has attracted national attention as a case study in how the Democratic Party might reconnect with disaffected, hard-to-pin working-class Mexican American voters. The district, which stretches nearly 250 miles from the Rio Grande Valley north toward Central Texas, was redrawn in 2022 to favor Republicans, but is one of the few in Texas that Democrats hope they can flip.

The details

Pulido, 52, the high-profile Tejano singer best known for his 1990s hit 'Desvelado,' is widely viewed as the frontrunner in Tuesday's Democratic Party primary. He argues that Latino voters in the Valley defy easy partisan labels, and he believes he can bring some Trump supporters back to the political center with a focus on working-class concerns like healthcare access and cost of living. His opponent, Ada Cuellar, 44, an emergency room physician, takes firmer stances than Pulido on issues such as codifying abortion rights and dismantling ICE, and she describes herself as anti-corruption and anti-establishment.

  • The Democratic primary election in Texas' 15th Congressional District will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2026.
  • In the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump made moderate gains in the Valley, going from drawing 28% of the vote in Hidalgo County in 2016 to 51% in 2024.

The players

Bobby Pulido

A 52-year-old Tejano singer who is the high-profile frontrunner in the Democratic primary for Texas' 15th Congressional District. He is the son of famed conjunto musician Roberto Pulido and has deep roots in the Valley's political establishment.

Ada Cuellar

A 44-year-old emergency room physician who is running against Pulido in the Democratic primary. She describes herself as anti-corruption and anti-establishment, and takes firmer stances than Pulido on issues like codifying abortion rights and dismantling ICE.

Monica De La Cruz

The Republican U.S. Representative who flipped the 15th Congressional District in 2022 and won again in 2024 by 14 points.

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What they’re saying

“They shouldn't own the flag. I love my country, and I'd die for it. And I love God, and I embrace my faith. That's who I am. But I'm also empathetic, and I also want to help people. And I believe that the little guy sometimes needs—like my dad did—needs a helping hand to get their family out of poverty. That's our spirit.”

— Bobby Pulido, Congressional Candidate (sacurrent.com)

“I'm a kid who grew up low-income and relied on public education. I was a WIC program recipient, and then growing up, I was a Pell grant recipient. I see that now these things are being attacked by the Trump administration. Benefits that would have helped a kid like me, right now they're being cut.”

— Ada Cuellar, Congressional Candidate (sacurrent.com)

What’s next

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican U.S. Representative Monica De La Cruz in the November 2026 general election for the 15th Congressional District.

The takeaway

The race in Texas' 15th Congressional District has become a crucial battleground for the Democratic Party's efforts to reconnect with disaffected Mexican American voters who have swung towards the Republican Party in recent elections. The outcome of the primary between Bobby Pulido and Ada Cuellar could provide valuable insights into how the party can appeal to this key demographic.