ALICE, Texas — The 15th Congressional District, a majority-Latino region stretching from east of San Antonio to the Rio Grande Valley, has become a bellwether for Republican strength with Latino voters in Texas. This cycle, Republican Representative Monica De La Cruz faces Democrat Bobby Pulido, a Latin Grammy-winning singer making his first run for office.
De La Cruz, a former insurance agent seeking her third term, has aligned closely with President Donald Trump and backs his mass deportation policies. Her campaign centers on tax cuts and rising prices.
Pulido, who studied political science at St. Mary's University in San Antonio before launching a music career, decided to challenge De La Cruz after she won the district in 2022. He describes himself as an "old-school Democrat" who holds conservative social views but supports policies to help working families.
Trump won the 15th District by 18 percentage points in 2022, powered largely by Latino support—a gain Republicans hope to defend. The race will show whether that shift holds.
At a campaign event in Alice, Pulido performed for voters instead of giving a political speech. Campaign volunteers handed out shirts, buttons, caps and yard signs. Attendees cited rising prices and deportations as chief concerns. Enrique Gonzalez, a district voter, said Pulido has "a real good chance of winning" and is "representing all of us."
De La Cruz campaigned in Cuero, a Republican area of the district, at the annual Turkeyfest. Her backing of mass deportation aligns with Trump, but some voters expressed unhappiness with both that policy and economic pressure.
For Democrats, reclaiming ground in a district where Latino voters have shifted Republican is critical. For Republicans, consolidating gains in a demographically key region is equally vital.
