Latin Grammy-winning singer and House candidate Bobby Pulido is addressing controversies regarding his past social media activity and a former bandmate convicted of child molestation.

Bobby Pulido, a Latin Grammy-winning singer and Democratic candidate for Texas’ 15th District, is facing criticism over past social media posts and his former professional relationship with an accordionist convicted of child molestation. Pulido, a first-time candidate aiming to flip the seat held by GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz, has defended his past actions while expressing frustration with the ongoing scrutiny of his history.

Controversies Over Past Associations

Pulido has faced headlines regarding his former accordionist, Frankie Caballero, who was imprisoned for indecent contact with a minor. Pulido stated he was unaware of Caballero's sex offender status during their time working together, believing he was incarcerated for substance abuse and immigration-related issues. While Pulido expressed regret for having Caballero perform at a 2018 middle school benefit concert, his campaign maintains they cut ties with the musician in 2021 upon learning of a domestic abuse charge.

Social Media and Campaign Scrutiny

The candidate has also been criticized for social media posts from 2013 to 2018 containing racial, sexist, and homophobic slurs. Pulido has apologized for content that offended others but defended some remarks as cultural jokes among friends. The campaign of his opponent, Rep. Monica De La Cruz, has highlighted inconsistencies in Pulido's statements regarding his history with Caballero, while Pulido argues these reports are distractions from core issues like immigration and affordability.