In the lead‑up to the November 3 general election for Texas’ 15th Congressional District, Democratic nominee Bobby Pulido, a Latin Grammy‑winning Tejano artist, is facing renewed scrutiny over comments he made in a 2016 interview. Pulido defended a controversial music video by fellow regional Mexican singer Gerardo Ortiz, which depicted a violent scene in which a man discovers his girlfriend’s infidelity, shoots her lover, handcuffs and blindfolds the woman, then places her in a car trunk that is set on fire.
Pulido’s 2016 remarks
When asked about the graphic content, Pulido said the video was an artistic decision and noted that he had worked on videos with “suggestive images” that were sometimes edited or never released. He emphasized that the choice of content rests with the artist and their team, adding that viewers have become accustomed to increasingly graphic imagery in the regional Mexican genre.
Campaign response
Pulido’s campaign framed the resurfaced interview as a distraction tactic by the Republican opponent, Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R‑TX). A spokesperson said the focus on the video diverts attention from “real” issues, including child‑abuse accusations against De La Cruz and her refusal to release Epstein‑related files. The campaign also suggested that national Republicans are using the controversy to “mischaracterize” Pulido’s remarks.
Republican rebuttal
Republican National Committee spokesperson Zach Kraft dismissed Pulido as “a truly sick individual who has spent his adult life defending perverts and predators while lashing out at law‑enforcement officers who keep Texans safe.” The criticism adds to a series of past controversies surrounding Pulido, including a 2018 incident involving a registered sex offender at a middle‑school benefit concert and a 2024 social‑media post that appeared to show him urinating on President Donald Trump’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star—later clarified by Pulido as a water‑pouring joke.
Election context
Pulido filed to run for the open seat after Rep. Monica De La Cruz won re‑election in 2024 with 57.1% of the vote over Democratic nominee Michelle Vallejo. The 15th District, which stretches from the Rio Grande Valley to the outskirts of San Antonio, is considered one of the nation’s most competitive congressional races. Both campaigns are intensifying outreach as the November election approaches.
What voters should know
The controversy highlights the broader cultural debate over artistic expression versus community standards, especially in a district where family values and faith play a prominent role. Voters will need to weigh Pulido’s musical credentials and policy positions against the resurfaced comments and past incidents, while also considering De La Cruz’s record and the allegations raised by her former husband.
As the campaign season heats up, local observers note that the focus on the video may shift attention away from substantive policy discussions, such as border security, economic development, and education—issues that directly affect constituents in the district.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
