Bobby Pulido, the Tejano singer who announced in late 2024 that he planned to leave music for politics, has won Texas’ 15th Congressional District for the Democrats. He defeated Republican incumbent Monica De La Cruz in the Nov. 3 midterm election, flipping the seat for his party, according to the report by Billboard.
“Thank you South Texas. Tonight we made history,” Pulido said in a statement after the race was called in his favor, as quoted by USA Today. He thanked supporters who had played his music at family celebrations and welcomed him on the campaign trail, adding that he would work to honor their trust.
The 53-year-old campaigned in the Rio Grande Valley on affordability, health care, removing corporate money from elections and the effects of President Donald Trump’s deportation raids. His events included concerts, weddings and graduation parties. The campaign drew wider attention after De La Cruz said the race was not about “who you want performing at your niece’s quinceañeras,” USA Today reported.
Born José Roberto Pulido Jr. in Edinburg, Texas, he is the son of Tex-Mex singer Roberto Pulido. His 1995 debut album, “Desvelado,” brought him his first Billboard chart entry with “No Sé Por Qué.” He has since released 15 more albums and earned chart placements with songs including “Te Voy a Amar,” “Se Murió de Amor” and “Enséñame.”
Pulido is a two-time Latin Grammy winner and was nominated again this year for best Tejano album for “Bobby Pulido & Friends Una Tuya y Una Mía (Vol. 2/En Vivo),” released in 2025. Newly elected members of Congress are set to take office in January. Pulido is also scheduled to attend the Latin Grammy Awards ceremony on Nov. 12 in Las Vegas.
Sources: Billboard.