In a collaborative rally held in South Texas, U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico and Tejano music icon Bobby Pulido, who is vying for a congressional seat, publicly endorsed one another, signaling a strategic partnership as they both aim to engage Latino voters in the upcoming elections.
The two leaders commended each other for their willingness to transcend party boundaries, focusing on gaining support from Latino voters who previously backed Donald Trump in the 2024 election. “We refuse to be confined to our party,” declared Talarico, a state representative from Austin. “We’re addressing deeper issues in this state and nation, and Bobby’s campaign exemplifies that by uniting people across the political spectrum.”
Pulido, seeking the Democratic nomination for Texas’ 15th Congressional District, expressed his admiration for Talarico, noting that he had been inspired by him long before his rise to fame through online interviews and speeches in the Texas House. “He resonated with me a long time ago,” Pulido remarked.
During the event in the Rio Grande Valley, voters expressed enthusiasm for candidates who could appeal to a broad audience. Genesis Ponce, a 30-year-old social worker from Brownsville, commented, “I feel like he’s really speaking to both sides.” She reflected on the ongoing anticipation of a “blue wave” in Texas, saying, “This feels like the moment.”
This rally marked Talarico’s second visit to the Valley since launching his Senate campaign in September. He emphasized his commitment to returning to the area frequently as the March primary election approaches.
Talarico’s strategy to attract Latino voters comes amid scrutiny faced by his opponent, U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett from Dallas. Crockett has drawn criticism for comments made in a Vanity Fair interview regarding immigration, which some interpreted as dismissive of Latino experiences. In a subsequent CNN interview, she clarified that her remarks were meant to highlight shared struggles between Black and Brown communities.
Both Talarico and Pulido are contending with challenges in their respective races. Talarico, in particular, is behind Crockett by eight percentage points, according to a recent statewide poll from Texas Southern University. Acknowledging this, he expressed his determination to increase his visibility and connect with more voters across Texas.
Pulido aims to regain the Democratic seat in Texas’ 15th Congressional District, which has recently leaned Republican following the election of U.S. Representative Monica De La Cruz in 2022. This shift occurred after redistricting in 2021, which made the district more favorable for Republicans, coinciding with a growing trend of Latino voters supporting the Republican Party.
Despite the Republican gains, Democrats view this district as a potential target for the upcoming election. Before facing De La Cruz, Pulido must first secure the Democratic nomination against Ada Cuellar, a physician from Harlingen, who has campaigned on issues such as wage increases and healthcare access.
Cuellar, who is not related to U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar, has emphasized her commitment to women’s health care in her campaign, launching a digital ad to promote her stance on this issue. While Pulido identifies as pro-life, he advocates for personal responsibility in decisions regarding abortion.
The eventual Democratic nominee will face a formidable challenge against De La Cruz, who won reelection by a significant margin in 2024.
