Bobby Pulido

A Tejano music star and small-business owner from South Texas, Pulido is making his first run for office against Rep. Monica De La Cruz. Trump carried the district by 18 points in 2024, but Cook moved the race to toss-up in September, making it a test of whether Democrats can win back the Rio Grande Valley.

On the ballot against Monica De La Cruz (R)

Why it matters: Republicans redrew this heavily Latino South Texas district in 2025 and Trump won it by 18 points in 2024, yet forecasters now rate it a toss-up, making it one of the most closely watched tests of the Latino vote.

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The race at a glance

Race ratingToss-upSabato's Crystal Ball, Oct 20 source

Latest poll Pulido 51% 44% De La Cruz 5% undecided or other Texas Southern University Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center (for the San Antonio Express-News, El Pais and Puente News Collaborative), Oct 13-16, 2026, LV. source

Money raised (through Sep 30) Pulido$6,213,369 De La Cruz$6,551,097 $1,373,712 cash on hand. source

In Bobby's own words

**Bobby Pulido**, to about 9,000 fans at his final concert in his hometown of Edinburg, Texas, Oct 17 source

**Bobby Pulido**, in an interview with The Texas Tribune about health care costs in South Texas, Aug 28 source

Where Bobby stands

Cost of living and small business: He says he will stand up to large corporations raising prices and cut red tape that holds back small local businesses. source
Border security and immigration: He wants a secure border and removal of violent criminals here illegally, along with a fair path to legal status for those who come to work and contribute. source
Health care and Medicare: He calls Medicare a promise to keep and strengthen, and wants to bring down the cost of health care and prescription drugs, and he criticizes Rep. De La Cruz's vote for the 2025 "big beautiful bill" as putting Medicaid at risk. source
Public schools: He opposes school voucher programs and wants better pay for teachers and smaller class sizes. source
Water supply: He backs investment in desalination and modern irrigation and wants Mexico held to its water treaty obligations. source

The record

Tejano singer whose 1995 debut album 'Desvelado' was certified platinum
Won the March 2026 Democratic primary with about two-thirds of the vote
First run for public office

ConfidentialThe GOP File

The file on Monica De La Cruz

Monica De La Cruz voted for the Republicans' 2025 tax-and-spending law, which cut billions of dollars in Medicaid spending. source
In January 2026 she was the only Texas Republican to vote with Democrats to pass a three-year extension of expired Affordable Care Act subsidies, which passed the House 230-196. source
She flipped the district for Republicans in 2022, is seeking a third term, and has pointed to President Trump's record on the border, taxes and the economy; Trump has reaffirmed his support for her. source

Endorsed by

Latino Victory Fund Blue Dog PAC DCCC Red to Blue program

Bobby Pulido. Photo: Kim-bodia, CC BY 4.0

Profile sources: 1, 2

Race data checked Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Quotes on this page were matched word for word against their sources.