Bobby Pulido Transitions from Tejano Music Icon to Political Candidate
Bobby Pulido, a name synonymous with the Tejano music scene, is now venturing into the political arena. Known for his musical influence in Texas, Pulido has announced his candidacy for the 15th congressional district in Texas, a region that spans from San Antonio to the Mexican border.
On the day he received his fifth Latin Grammy nomination, Pulido declared his intention to run as a Democratic candidate against the current representative, Monica De La Cruz. De La Cruz, who made history as the first Republican to win the district, has critiqued Pulido’s musical background. She remarked, “This election isn’t about who you want performing at your niece’s quinceañera.” Pulido responded with a social media video highlighting the cultural significance of quinceañeras in South Texas, stating, “A quinceañera isn’t just a pachanga [party], it’s a rite of passage that brings family and neighbors together, and honestly, that’s exactly what this campaign is about. We want to bring people together, not tear them apart.”
The exchange has only increased Pulido’s popularity, resulting in numerous invitations to perform at quinceañeras within the district. Pulido is leveraging his deep-rooted connection to South Texas culture in his campaign, emphasizing themes of affordability and improved healthcare access. During an interview with Texas Public Radio, he expressed a desire to shift the political focus from corporate interests to issues that affect everyday citizens.
“I had aspirations when I was younger to one day run for office, but music got in the way and I followed that path for 30 years,” Pulido reflected.
With a music career spanning over three decades, Pulido has been a prominent figure in the Tejano genre—a vibrant mix of regional Mexican, country, pop, and conjunto influences. His family’s musical heritage runs deep; his grandfather, Mario Montes, was part of the influential norteño duo Los Donneños, and his father, Roberto Pulido, led a popular conjunto group.
Pulido’s journey into music was initially unplanned. He was pursuing a political science degree at St. Mary’s University when a song recorded with his father gained traction, leading him to sign with EMI Latin in 1995. This marked the start of a successful music career, highlighted by his platinum-certified album Desvelado and numerous accolades, including three consecutive male entertainer of the year titles at the Tejano Music Awards.
Despite his success, Pulido faced challenges following the tragic loss of fellow Tejano star Selena Quintanilla. “After Selena, Tejano changed because there was a profound sadness,” he told Texas Monthly. “When she died, it was so impactful that I think to this day, we haven’t really recovered fully.”
In recent years, Pulido has embraced the resurgence of regional Mexican music, performing a mashup of his hit “Desvelado” with Grupo Frontera and Bad Bunny’s “Un x100to.” This collaboration culminated in a live performance with Grupo Frontera in Edinburg, Texas.
In November, Pulido won a Latin Grammy for best Tejano album for Una Tuya Una Mia (Por La Puerta Grande). During his acceptance speech, he announced his retirement from music to pursue new goals, dedicating the award to the future of Tejano music. In a recent interview, Pulido shared his thoughts on legacy and the importance of leaving a positive impact for future generations. “I’m 52 years old. What do I want my life to mean? What world do I want to leave my kids with?” he pondered. “Now where we’re at at this time and place, I really feel like our democracy is in danger.”
