Tejano Star Bobby Pulido Runs for Congress in South Texas

Democrats hope Pulido's celebrity can help win back Hispanic voters in a district favoring Republicans.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Latin Grammy winner Bobby Pulido, a Tejano music star, is running as a Democrat for a congressional seat in South Texas. Democrats are betting Pulido's celebrity can help the party reverse its declining support among Hispanic voters in the region, which has trended more Republican in recent elections. Pulido faces a tough primary challenge from a more progressive candidate, Ada Cuellar, as well as a difficult general election against the incumbent Republican, Rep. Monica De La Cruz.

Why it matters

The South Texas congressional district is a key battleground as Democrats try to regain control of the House of Representatives. The region has seen a shift toward the Republican Party among Hispanic voters, a trend that Democrats hope Pulido's star power can help reverse. The outcome of this race could have significant implications for the balance of power in Congress.

The details

Pulido, a 30-year veteran of the Tejano music scene, is running as a moderate Democrat, staking out positions that nod to the region's cultural conservatism. He faces criticism from his primary opponent, Ada Cuellar, who argues that Pulido is out of touch with voters and that the party establishment is putting too much stock in his celebrity status. Cuellar is running a more progressive campaign, particularly on the issue of abortion. In the general election, Pulido will face the incumbent Republican, Rep. Monica De La Cruz, who won the district by 14 percentage points in 2024 and has aligned herself closely with former President Trump.

  • The Democratic primary election is on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
  • Pulido is currently on a farewell music tour, with one stop scheduled for this weekend in Mexico.

The players

Bobby Pulido

A Latin Grammy-winning Tejano music star who is running as a moderate Democrat for a congressional seat in South Texas.

Ada Cuellar

A doctor and law school graduate who is running against Pulido in the Democratic primary, positioning herself to Pulido's left on the political spectrum.

Rep. Monica De La Cruz

The incumbent Republican congresswoman who currently holds the South Texas district that Pulido and Cuellar are competing for.

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What they’re saying

“Even if I personally would not be OK with it, I still respect that other people might make their own decisions and that we have to be OK with that.”

— Bobby Pulido, Democratic congressional candidate (borderreport.com)

“He doesn't really understand the issues or have the solutions that I have.”

— Ada Cuellar, Democratic congressional candidate (borderreport.com)

“We have together delivered for Texas and delivered for our nation by turning all of South Texas red, and we will continue to keep Texas red.”

— Rep. Monica De La Cruz (borderreport.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This race highlights the shifting political dynamics in South Texas, where Democrats are hoping Pulido's celebrity can help them win back Hispanic voters who have increasingly supported Republicans in recent elections. The outcome could have significant implications for control of the House of Representatives.