After fending off gay rumors, Tejano singer Bobby Pulido quits music to fight MAGA in Congress
Bobby Pulido has launched his Democratic campaign to flip a Texas House seat in Congress.
Mark
Tejano singer Bobby Pulido is putting touring (and gay rumors) behind him in order to hit the campaign trail to battle MAGA Republicans.
After releasing 14 albums over the course of 30 years in the music business, the Latin Grammy winner has pressed pause on his entertainment career to launch a bid to flip a Republican seat in Texas’ 15th congressional district.
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While he’s running as Democrat, Pulido, a born and raised Texan of Mexican descent, is trying to appeal to the district’s disenfranchisement with both parties on issues like immigration.
“I’m not team red. I’m not team blue. South Texas, I’m team you,” Pulido said earnestly in his campaign video.
Pulido will be vying against anti-LGBTQ+ GOP incumbent Monica De La Cruz, who won the seat in 2022 in a district that up to that point had leaned blue until it was gerrymandered. De La Cruz has spoken out against trans issues and is vehemently opposed to the Equality Act.
“I think you need to have a candidate that is tailor-made for the district in order to flip it,” Pulido told Rolling Stone. “I don’t think a progressive will ever be able to flip this district — doesn’t matter how popular you are, it’s just not made that way.”
As a centrist, Pulido is focusing his campaign on the “kitchen table” issues like immigration, the economy and healthcare. Priorities include securing the border without tearing apart families, creating high-wage jobs, and putting individuals head of Big Pharma profits. The Tejano icon also claims to not have health insurance because he says it’s too expensive.
As of yet, Pulido has not announced his stance on social issues like reproductive health or LGBTQ+ equality.
On a personal level, he has a mixed bag history when it comes to the gay community.
Last year, the 54-year-old, who is married to a woman, fended off online rumors alleging he was having a romantic relationship with Mexican TV journalist Javier Alatorre.
“I don’t know who Javier Alatorre is, I live in the United States. My PR told me about this, and I don’t know him, but besides, I like women not men,” Pulido told the Mexican TV show Multimedios.
While there is nothing wrong with dispelling the cheating accusations and clarifying how he identifies, Pulido went extra AF by offering a reward to to find the person who started the rumor and, if found, promised to sue them. Gurl!
“I’m going to do whatever I have to do no matter the cost and I swear they will regret their words,” he added. “This is a case of defamation.”
However, since then, It doesn’t look like there have been any further developments with his inquisition.
Prior to the speculation about his personal life, Pulido had shown support for Ricky Martin after he came out by sending him well-wishes and reportedly saying the Puerto Rican superstar was “living his dreams.” Ok, that’s better than nothing.
Around that same time, Pulido featured an over-the-top flamboyant gay character in his “Dias de Ayer” video in 2010 , which, as you could imagine, did not come off very well.
Over time he appeared to show growth and included a gay couple in the video for his hit 2021 single “Para Que Baile Mi Pueblo.”
For now, mums the word so we’ll have to see where he lands on LGBTQ+ issues.
As fas as his chances, beating an incumbent is no easy feat, but De La Cruz is considered one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the House. Plus, momentum may be on Pulido’s side going into the 2026 midterms.
Among Texas Latinos, the convicted felon president’s favorably has plummeted 32 points since the 2024 election, with most citing his mishandling of the economy as the main reason.
Thoughts and tariffs, Pulido.
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