Bobby Pulido, a moderate Democrat and Latin Grammy Award-winning Tejano musician, ousted Representative Monica De La Cruz, a three-term Texas Republican, early Wednesday, according to The Associated Press, signaling a deep backlash to Republicans and President Trump among Latino voters.
The South Texas border district that Mr. Pulido won was seen as a bellwether for Latino voter sentiment. Mr. Trump won it by 18 percentage points in 2024, as residents lashed out against inflation and the Biden administration’s immigration policies.
Mr. Pulido said in an interview during the campaign that when he began his bid, “nobody thought I had a chance” because the district had so heavily favored Mr. Trump.
But this year, Mr. Trump’s immigration crackdown and the high cost of gas and groceries, as well as deep cuts to Medicaid in a district reliant on the program, spurred voter anger.
Mr. Pulido became the subject of international media attention as he performed for free at quinceañeras and other local parties as part of his outreach to low-propensity voters.
He also cut a distinctive profile, pitching himself as a conservative “Blue Dog” Democrat who supported a secure border, owned guns and loved God while also promoting Democratic visions for government-funded health care and safety net programs.
Ms. De La Cruz attacked Mr. Pulido over offensive statements he had made in the past, including about postpartum women’s bodies, and his connection to a former bandmate who is a sex offender. But in the end, she could not overcome Mr. Trump’s unpopularity and Mr. Pulido’s popularity.
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