Trending Now - Bobby Pulido Gains Support in South Texas Congressional Race
WHO:
Bobby Pulido: Tejano music star and Democratic congressional candidate
Ada Cuellar: Pulido's opponent in the Democratic primary, an emergency physician
Monica De La Cruz: Republican incumbent in the 15th Congressional District
Blue Dog Action: Political operation supporting Pulido
Phil Gardner: Senior advisor with the Blue Dog group
Latino Victory Fund: Outside spending group supporting Pulido
James Talarico: State Representative campaigning with Pulido
Jasmine Crockett: U.S. Representative campaigning with Cuellar
WHAT:
Pulido is running for Congress in a district that favors Republicans.
He has received close to $1 million in outside spending from Blue Dog Action.
Cuellar has self-funded her campaign with around $1 million.
The Democratic primary is scheduled for March 3, 2026.
De La Cruz won the seat by 14 percentage points in 2024.
The 15th Congressional District is 81% Hispanic and has seen a decline in Democratic support from 55% in 2016 to 41% in 2024.
Pulido's campaign raised over $894,000 from donors and $150,000 from himself as of February 11, 2026.
Pulido's campaign has spent around $761,000 as of February 11, 2026.
Cuellar has aired television ads while Pulido has not.
WHERE:
Pharr, Texas: Location of Pulido's campaign event
15th Congressional District: Stretches from the U.S. border with Mexico 300 miles north
Rio Grande Valley: Region where the district is located
WHEN:
March 3, 2026: Date of the Democratic primary
February 20, 2026: Date of Blue Dog group's announcement regarding their investment
February 11, 2026: Date of the most recent detailed campaign finance data
2024: Year De La Cruz won the seat
WHY:
Democrats aim to win back Hispanic voters who have shifted support to Republicans during the Trump era.
Pulido's celebrity status is seen as a potential asset to reverse the party's declining standing among Hispanics.
Cuellar argues that Pulido is out of touch with voters and that establishment support is influencing the race.
HOW:
Pulido is campaigning by visiting local centers and engaging with voters in both English and Spanish.
Cuellar is emphasizing her experience in healthcare and public policy to contrast with Pulido's celebrity status.
Outside spending groups are supporting Pulido's campaign through independent mail and advertising efforts.
Tejano music star Bobby Pulido is running for Congress in Texas's 15th Congressional District, where he faces emergency physician Ada Cuellar in the Democratic primary set for March 3, 2026. Pulido has garnered nearly $1 million in outside support from groups like Blue Dog Action, while Cuellar has self-funded her campaign with a similar amount, and both candidates are working to connect with the district's predominantly Hispanic voters. As the race heats up, Pulido is engaging with voters in both English and Spanish, while Cuellar emphasizes her healthcare experience to differentiate herself from Pulido's celebrity status.