UMVA has learned that Bobby Pulido, a Latin Grammy-winning musician turned Democratic candidate, has made a striking admission about his life as a music star: he hasn't set foot in a supermarket in 15 years.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Pulido revealed this surprising fact in a 2010 interview, stating that his rise to fame left him no time for everyday tasks like grocery shopping. "I don't have the time; I've never gone to the supermarket to shop... well, very rarely. When I was in college, I did go, but ever since I started singing, not anymore," he told interviewers.
This depiction of himself, however, clashes with the Democratic Party's current messaging focus on affordability, a key platform for the 2026 midterms. With inflation and high gas prices continuing to affect Americans, Pulido's campaign will need to reconcile his privileged experience with the economic concerns of his constituents.
Pulido, best known for his Tejano folk-style songs like "Desvelado" and "Se Murió de Amor," has received five Latin Grammy Award nominations and won Best Tejano Album twice. Despite past scandals, he has framed his campaign as a referendum on the expenses his administration has overlooked, emphasizing the economy's impact on everyday Texans.
His campaign page states, "The economy we care about is not a bunch of numbers and letters flashing on a board on Wall Street. It's in our pockets, at the pump, in the grocery store when we buy fajitas, milk and eggs — and for some it's when they have to choose between paying the rent or for their health insurance."
Inflation has indeed been a pressing issue, climbing to 4.2% in May, up from 3.8% in April. Pulido argues that his district, which he believes has the lowest per-capita income in Texas, is disproportionately affected by rising prices. "Here in the Rio Grande Valley, when inflation hits, oh gosh. We don’t make a lot of money to begin with. So, inflation really hurts us harder," he said on a recent podcast.
Now, Pulido hopes to unseat Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas, in one of the more competitive opportunities for Democrats in Texas. Having cleared the Democratic primary, Pulido will face off with De La Cruz on Nov. 3, in a race that will turn on whether he can attract support from across the aisle.
