From Billboard Charts to Congress: Musician Bobby Pulido Wins Historic South Texas Race for Democrats

In late 2024, Bobby Pulido — born José Roberto Pulido Jr. — announced his retirement from music to pursue a career in politics starting in 2026. The norteño-tejano music icon made history Tuesday (Nov. 3) during the U.S. midterm elections by flipping a House seat in Texas for Democrats.

The two-time Latin Grammy winner — nominated again this year to best tejano album for his last set, 2025’s Bobby Pulido & Friends Una Tuya y Una Mía (Vol.2/En Vivo) — defeated Republican incumbent Monica De La Cruz in Congressional District 15.

“Thank you South Texas. Tonight we made history,” Pulido said in a statement after the election was called in his favor, according to USA Today. “For over 30 years, you played my music at your weddings, your quinceañeras and your carne asadas, and the past year you welcomed me into those same celebrations on the campaign trail. Tonight, you trusted me with something even bigger than a song, you trusted me with your future and I will work hard everyday to honor it.”

According to the publication, the 53-year-old singer-turned-politician won the Rio Grande Valley district, east of San Antonio, after campaigning on affordability, health care, getting corporate money out of elections and the negative impacts of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation raids. He campaigned at concerts, weddings and graduation parties, going viral after De La Cruz said the race wasn’t about “who you want performing at your niece’s quinceañeras,” USA Today reported.

Pulido was born in Edinburg, Texas, the son of Tex-Mex singer Roberto Pulido. In 1995, he released his album debut, Desvelado, gaining his first Billboard chart entry with the track “No Sé Por Qué,” which debuted at No. 39 on Hot Latin Songs and later peaked at No. 32. Meanwhile, Desvelado entered the Top Latin Albums and Top Regional Mexican Albums in early 1996, peaking at No. 9 and No. 3, respectively. Since then, he has released 15 more albums and has had many more entries on the Billboard charts, with hits including “Te Voy a Amar,” “Se Murió de Amor” and “Enséñame.” Meanwhile, “Desvelado,” the title track from his debut album, reached No. 21 on Latin Streaming Songs this past July during his campaign.

“South Texas: We are mothers, fighters, abuelos, entrepreneurs, the hardest working people in this country,” Pulido said in an August video titled “We Are” shared on his campaign’s social media and YouTube accounts. “And we deserve a leader who fights for us like we fight for our families, not a corrupt politician who’s loyal only to their party while costs skyrocket and families are torn apart. I’m Bobby Pulido, son of a migrant farm worker, father of four, 100% South Texas, and I’ll stand up to anyone who makes life tough for us. So I approve this message.”

Pulido’s victory marked one of many historical moments for the Democratic party in the midterm elections. Among others, Rep. Gina Hinojosa became Texas’ first Latina governor elect, Michigan’s Dr. Abdul El-Sayed the first-ever Muslim senator and Chris Pappas, the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate.

Newly elected U.S. members of congress are set to take office in January. In the meantime, Pulido is confirmed to attend the Latin Grammy awards ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 12, in Las Vegas.