Democrat Bobby Pulido defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz in Texas’s 15th Congressional District, flipping the seat after it was redrawn by state Republicans. The Associated Press called the race for Pulido at 12:37 p.m. local time, with Pulido securing 61.6% of the vote to De La Cruz’s 38.4%, based on 89% of ballots counted.
The newly redrawn district had been designed to favor Republicans, with an estimated 18-point margin for Donald Trump in 2024 if it had existed in prior elections. De La Cruz, first elected in 2022, had previously won the seat by a 14-point margin in 2024. The race drew national attention amid shifting Latino voter preferences and economic concerns in the region.
Campaign Dynamics and Key Moments
Pulido, a Latin Grammy-winning Tejano singer, leveraged his established brand and fundraising ability during the campaign. His appearances at quinceañeras became a focal point after De La Cruz referenced his performances in a May campaign video, which Pulido framed as a positive contrast. By late September, Pulido’s campaign stated he had performed at 75 quinceañeras while on the trail.
Republicans sought to highlight Pulido’s past association with Frankie Caballero, a registered sex offender convicted in 2014 of sexual contact with an 8-year-old girl and sentenced to four years in prison. Pulido’s campaign stated he was unaware of the charges at the time of their joint performances. The issue became a central attack line for GOP operatives in the final weeks of the campaign.
Redistricting and Political Context
The Texas Legislature, controlled by Republicans, redrew the district’s boundaries in 2023, aiming to solidify GOP control in South Texas. The changes reshaped the 15th District to include parts of Corpus Christi and extend south to the U.S.-Mexico border. Analysts noted that 75% of De La Cruz’s new district consisted of voters she had not previously represented, creating uncertainty about her reelection prospects.
The race unfolded against a backdrop of declining Latino support for Donald Trump in 2024, driven by concerns over the economy and immigration policies. Democrats targeted the district aggressively, viewing it as a potential pickup opportunity in a region that had trended Republican in recent elections.
Election Results and Turnout
Final results showed Pulido’s victory margin exceeded early polling expectations, which had suggested a closer contest. The Associated Press called the race shortly after noon on election day, with Pulido’s lead widening as additional precincts reported. Turnout in the district was reported as high, with election officials citing strong early and mail-in voting participation.
The outcome marks the second consecutive cycle in which the district has changed partisan hands, following De La Cruz’s 2022 victory over a Democratic incumbent. Political analysts will assess whether the result signals a broader shift in Latino voter behavior ahead of the 2026 midterms.