A South Texas congressional race is drawing renewed attention after a series of remarks from Democratic candidate Bobby Pulido triggered backlash from Republicans, law enforcement advocates, and border officials.
Pulido, a former Latin music performer now running to unseat Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz, is facing criticism over comments made during a podcast interview where he framed immigration enforcement as fundamentally tied to race.
During the interview, Pulido argued that political rhetoric surrounding border security is rooted in what he described as a “theory of White replacement.” He stated bluntly, “It’s race. It’s always down to race,” while accusing past Republican leadership, including President Donald Trump, of misleading the public about immigration priorities.
His remarks went further, suggesting that some individuals drawn to immigration enforcement roles may be motivated by extremist views, though he added that he did not intend to broadly demonize law enforcement.
That distinction has not softened the reaction. Critics, including De La Cruz’s campaign and national Republican figures, have characterized Pulido’s statements as an attack on Border Patrol agents.
The criticism carries particular weight in South Texas, where border enforcement personnel are deeply embedded in local communities and, notably, more than half of Border Patrol agents are Hispanic. In the Rio Grande Valley Sector alone, thousands of agents live and work in the same neighborhoods Pulido is campaigning in.
De La Cruz’s campaign responded by highlighting those community ties, portraying the criticism as disconnected from the lived reality of the district. Supporters emphasized that Border Patrol agents are not abstract figures but neighbors, parents, and members of local churches and schools.
Pulido’s campaign pushed back just as forcefully, dismissing the backlash as politically motivated. A spokesperson argued that his long-standing personal connections to law enforcement contradict the narrative being built by opponents, framing the criticism as a sign of electoral anxiety rather than substantive concern.
The controversy adds to an already complicated campaign. Pulido has faced scrutiny over past associations and resurfaced material from his music career, as well as questions about his proximity to controversial figures. Each issue has been met with denials or explanations from his campaign, but together they have created a steady stream of attacks from opponents eager to define him before voters do.
