Bobby Pulido, a Latin Grammy-winning musician and the Democratic nominee in Texas' 15th Congressional District, is facing renewed scrutiny over past comments describing himself as a "winter Texan" and discussing pursuit of Mexican citizenship, remarks his campaign now says were made in jest.
The controversy emerges as Pulido prepares to challenge two-term incumbent Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas, in what political analysts consider one of the most competitive House races of the cycle.
In a 2023 interview, Pulido discussed spending significant time in Mexico, saying: "It gets hot here, bro. Like real hot — like real hot. I'm a summer Mexican." He added: "It sounds better: winter Texan. It sounds better to say, 'I'm a winter Texan.'"
The comments contrast with statements Pulido made to NBC News earlier this month, in which he said: "I live in Texas. We've always lived in Texas. Since COVID, really — that's just not true," responding to accusations that he only sometimes lived in the district he seeks to represent.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans and De La Cruz's campaign have seized on Pulido's past statements as evidence he is out of touch with the district. De La Cruz posted on X that Pulido "only belongs at quinceañeras," a reference to the lavish 15th-birthday celebrations traditional in Latin culture.
The incumbent's supporters have questioned whether Pulido truly resides in the district, pointing to his wife's continued residence in Mexico and his statements about spending time south of the border. Critics have also highlighted his past social media activity, including posts containing vulgar language directed at former President Trump.
Conservative commentators have argued that Pulido's consideration of Mexican citizenship and his description of himself as a "winter Texan" raise questions about his loyalty and commitment to the district. Some have suggested these comments could undermine his credibility with voters in a border community.
The National Republican Congressional Committee has included the race on its list of competitive districts it aims to hold, with De La Cruz emphasizing her record of representing the district's values.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Democrats and Pulido's supporters have emphasized his deep ties to the Rio Grande Valley community and his commitment to representing the district. Supporters point to his wife's family roots in the area and his campaign's focus on kitchen-table issues.
"Bobby has one citizenship — American, and he's proud of it. And, frankly, there's nothing wrong with people having ties to family and heritage across borders," Pulido's spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
Democratic allies have argued that the attacks on Pulido's background are distracting from the issues voters care about, including healthcare costs, economic opportunity, and border security. Some progressive commentators have noted that many South Texas families share cross-border ties similar to Pulido's.
The campaign has also highlighted that Pulido received nearly 1,000 invitations to quinceañeras in the district after he posted on social media asking to attend them — a response to De La Cruz's criticism.
What the Numbers Show
Texas' 15th Congressional District covers much of the Rio Grande Valley, including parts of Hidalgo and Cameron counties. The district has shifted Republican in recent cycles, with De La Cruz winning reelection in 2024 by a margin that political analysts consider competitive.
Pulido has received five Latin Grammy nominations throughout his career, winning Best Tejano Album in both 2022 and 2025. His music career continues to take him to Mexico regularly, with his last five concerts occurring south of the border according to his tour website.
According to campaign finance reports, De La Cruz has maintained a fundraising advantage in the race. The Cook Political Report rates Texas' 15th District as a competitive seat, neither strongly Democratic nor Republican.
A person familiar with Pulido's background confirmed that his wife still lives in Mexico along with children from previous marriages. He also owns a house in Mexico and has discussed seeking healthcare there.
The Bottom Line
The "winter Texan" controversy represents a significant challenge for Pulido as he attempts to unseat De La Cruz in a district that has trended Republican. The remarks about dual citizenship and his extensive time in Mexico, while personally meaningful to the candidate, have become a focal point for Republican attacks.
The race is expected to draw significant national attention and spending, with both parties viewing the seat as competitive. Pulido must navigate questions about his residency and background while presenting a positive vision for the district's future.
Voters will ultimately decide whether Pulido's musical career and cross-border ties are assets or liabilities in a community where border issues dominate political discourse. The coming weeks will test whether the candidate can move past these controversies and focus on policy contrasts with the incumbent.