In a vibrant political landscape, Democratic congressional candidate Bobby Pulido is invigorating his party’s ambitions to secure a pivotal South Texas district. Known widely for his decades-long career as a Tejano musician, Pulido is presenting a moderate stance that he claims reflects the cultural values of the region.
However, his campaign faces scrutiny due to his association with Frankie Caballero, a former bandmate and registered sex offender. Pulido toured with Caballero for years, unaware of his criminal history, which includes a conviction for indecent sexual contact with a minor. The candidate’s team asserts he only knew about Caballero’s struggles with addiction.
As Pulido challenges Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz, the implications of his relationship with Caballero could significantly influence voter sentiment. De La Cruz, who has successfully defeated Democratic challengers since her 2022 election, represents a district that heavily favored Donald Trump in the last election cycle.
Despite the uphill battle, Pulido, a first-time candidate, has made strides in the race by positioning himself as an outsider committed to addressing the needs of South Texas over partisan politics. Internal polling suggests a tighter race than expected, with Latino voters—who constitute a significant portion of the district’s electorate—showing signs of distancing from Trump.
While Pulido insists that allegations concerning Caballero are distractions from pressing issues like rising gas prices and healthcare costs, De La Cruz and her supporters find his explanations unpersuasive. They argue that his long-standing connection with Caballero raises serious concerns about his judgment.
Pulido’s most notable musical achievement, the 1995 hit “Desvelado,” featured Caballero purely by chance when the original accordion performer failed to show for a recording session. The two subsequently toured together throughout Pulido’s career, with Caballero described by Pulido’s campaign as a contractor engaged for short periods.
Caballero, a McAllen native, has accumulated numerous criminal charges since the 1990s, including drug possession and burglary, although many were dismissed. His 2014 conviction for indecent sexual contact with an eight-year-old girl resulted in a four-year prison sentence.
After serving his time, Caballero rejoined Pulido for performances, including a charity event for an Edinburg middle school in 2018, which has drawn particular ire from De La Cruz. She criticized Pulido’s dismissal of parental concerns regarding his association with someone who has a serious criminal background.
Pulido’s campaign contends that Caballero was merely a contractor without a background check—a common practice in the music industry. They emphasize that Pulido only learned of Caballero’s sex offender status when it became public this year.
In a series of past comments, Pulido has hinted at Caballero’s difficulties, expressing disappointment that his former bandmate “just can’t stay out of trouble.” He has also made light of Caballero’s past during performances, which has not helped his campaign’s image.
The ongoing controversy surrounding Caballero continues to be leveraged by De La Cruz, who labels Pulido’s associations as untrustworthy. Her campaign argues that Pulido’s privileged background allows him to overlook the serious implications of his former bandmate’s actions.
Despite the negative press, Pulido’s team claims that the stories about Caballero are part of a smear campaign, asserting that they highlight Pulido’s growing appeal among voters. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, targeting Texas’ 15th District as a potential gain, is backing Pulido’s candidacy and believes De La Cruz’s campaign is feeling the pressure.
DCCC chair Suzan DelBene expressed confidence in Pulido’s ability to connect with voters on critical issues like healthcare and the cost of living, indicating that he is gaining traction in a district that has been carefully curated for De La Cruz’s advantage.
