Tejano music star and Democratic congressional candidate Bobby Pulido is facing renewed scrutiny over his past professional relationship with accordionist Frankie Caballero, a registered sex offender whose criminal history has become a growing issue in Texas’ 15th Congressional District race.
Pulido is challenging Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz in one of the nation’s most closely watched House contests. Democrats view the South Texas district as a key pickup opportunity, but questions surrounding Pulido’s association with Caballero continue to generate headlines.
According to a report from Axios, Pulido and his band performed at a May 24, 2018, fundraising event benefiting Harwell Middle School in Edinburg, Texas. Caballero, who had been released from prison only months earlier, was part of the performance.
The event was held at Richard R. Flores Stadium, and promotional materials indicated that children were welcome. Axios reported reviewing video showing children in attendance.
Caballero’s criminal history extends back decades, but his most serious conviction involved sexual contact with an 8-year-old girl. He served a prison sentence from 2014 until his release in 2017 and was listed on the Texas sex offender registry when he resumed performing with Pulido.
The two musicians appeared together publicly shortly after Caballero’s release, including on Univision in late 2017.
Pulido’s campaign has consistently maintained that he did not know the details of Caballero’s conviction.
When the story first emerged earlier this year, campaign manager Abel Prado said, “Bobby was never made aware of Caballero’s sex offender registration and would never knowingly associate with anyone with that kind of history. Bobby extends his deepest sympathies and support to all of the victims involved.”
That explanation has been challenged by others familiar with the Tejano music community.
Veteran bassist Ramon Rodriguez told the New York Post that Caballero’s conviction was widely known among musicians. A former Hidalgo County prosecutor also questioned Pulido’s claim, arguing that employer-related paperwork and probation requirements would likely have made Caballero’s status difficult to miss.
The scrutiny intensified further because Caballero encountered additional legal trouble after returning to Pulido’s band.
In 2021, Caballero pleaded guilty to assaulting his daughter. Court records reviewed by Axios indicate the indictment alleged he impeded her normal breathing during the assault.
Despite those charges, photos and videos reportedly show Caballero continuing to perform alongside Pulido into June 2021. Court documents cited by Axios also listed Pulido as Caballero’s employer on bond paperwork filed earlier that year.
Pulido eventually ended the professional relationship. In a 2024 interview, after Caballero faced additional criminal allegations, Pulido remarked that the musician “just can’t stay out of trouble.”
The campaign now argues the controversy is politically motivated.
A campaign spokesperson told Axios, “Bobby Pulido is a public figure who has been an open book for over 30 years, and the only reason Republicans are digging up this nothing story is because Monica De La Cruz herself admitted he is surging in this race.”
The Caballero controversy is not the only issue to surface during Pulido’s campaign.
Past social media posts from Pulido’s X account have also received attention after reports highlighted comments referencing pornography. In addition, critics have pointed to the music video for his song “Días de Ayer,” which features Pulido portraying several exaggerated characters, including scenes with sexually suggestive humor. The campaign has not indicated that those artistic choices reflect Pulido’s personal conduct.
With limited public polling available, the race remains competitive. A Democratic-sponsored survey conducted last year showed De La Cruz holding a narrow lead, while prediction markets have recently suggested the contest is essentially even.
