Bobby Pulido, a Democratic congressional hopeful in a South Texas border district, is under fire after remarks accusing immigration enforcement of racial bias and invoking the phrase “theory of white replacement.” His critics say he smeared Border Patrol agents, while his campaign called the attacks desperate and pointed to his ties to law enforcement and his past as an entertainer. The back-and-forth has sharpened local debate over border security, character, and who speaks for South Texas families.
Pulido’s remarks came during a podcast interview where he argued “It’s always down to race.” He went further, saying “When President Trump ran, he ran on getting rid of the bad guys. They lied to us.” He then described what he called the “theory of white replacement,” insisting opponents are hiding their true motives behind crime and culture talk.
Pulido took care to say, “I do not want to demonize law enforcement,” but he also warned that “a lot of the people that are joining, not all of them, okay, there’s a lot of white nationalists that want to join because they want to go hunt down people, right, they’re yahoos.” He added, “It’s a shame,” and lamented the branding of all ICE agents, a comment critics seized on as unfair to career Border Patrol personnel.
Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz’s campaign pushed back sharply, pointing out that Border Patrol agents are part of the community. A campaign spokesperson emphasized that “Monica is proud to be raising her kids in South Texas,” and noted the agents Pulido criticized are people she sees at schools, carne asadas, and church. Notably, just over 50 percent of Border Patrol personnel are Hispanic, a fact that complicates claims of a blanket racial smear.
Pulido’s team responded with an aggressive statement, writing, “These desperate attacks prove one thing, the GOP establishment is in full panic mode because Mentirosa [Spanish for ‘liar’] Monica De La Cruz is running a dumpster fire of a campaign and they know they’re going to lose.” They added that “Bobby Pulido has family and friends who serve in Border Patrol and he has been a lifelong supporter of our law enforcement — South Texas knows that and they’re going to make it loud and clear in November.”
The candidate has also faced scrutiny over items from his past. A resurfaced music video showing lewd behavior and his long association with a bandmate convicted as a child sex offender have raised eyebrows; Pulido says he cut ties when he learned of the conviction. He has been criticized for sharing the stage with Julión Álvarez, who has been described by authorities as a cartel operative, but Pulido’s camp insists cultural expressions like calling someone “amigo” do not equal friendship or endorsement.
Zach Kraft of the Republican National Committee told critics there’s a pattern, bluntly stating “there’s a clear pattern” and adding, “He sides with criminals over law enforcement and families, every time.” Kraft also said, “He smears Border Patrol agents after spending decades bringing a convicted child predator, who raped an eight-year-old girl, to local parks and festivals. South Texans know he has no business being anywhere near Congress, and they will reject him in November.”
Paul Perez, president of the National Border Patrol Council, did not hold back either, saying “Bobby Pulido insults the Border Patrol agents protecting our community, but he had no problem spending decades knowingly bringing a convicted child sex predator into our neighborhoods or palling around with a sanctioned cartel operative.” He added, “The agents who patrol this border, most of them Hispanic, know exactly whose side Bobby Pulido is on. It isn’t ours,” underscoring how charged the local debate has become.
The campaign clash has spotlighted both policy and personality in a district where border security is personal and political. Voters in the Rio Grande Valley are now sorting through accusations, denials, and past controversies as the race heads toward November, with no shortage of sharp words on both sides.
Darnell Thompkins is a Canadian-born American and conservative opinion writer who brings a unique perspective to political and cultural discussions. Passionate about traditional values and individual freedoms, Darnell’s commentary reflects his commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue. When he’s not writing, he enjoys watching hockey and celebrating the sport that connects his Canadian roots with his American journey.