Dem candidate's unearthed 'winter Texan' comment could haunt campaign

"It sounds better: winter Texan. It sounds better to say, 'I'm a winter Texan.'"

His comments, which Pulido says he made in jest, run counter to statements he made to NBC News earlier this month.

"I live in Texas. We've always lived in Texas. Since COVID, really - that's just not true," Pulido said, responding to accusations that he only sometimes lived in the district he is running to represent.

He won Best Tejano Album in 2022 and 2025.

"I'm going to be Mexican because I want the same Mexican passport you have," Pulido told El Norte, a Mexican outlet.

He has also received backlash over his past vulgar attacks against Trump, including posting the Spanish translation of "f--- your mother."

Despite those controversies, Pulido recently captured the Democratic nomination to run in Texas' 15th Congressional District - a seat currently held by Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas.

De La Cruz, a two-term incumbent, needled Pulido over his time spent in Mexico through a post to X. She quipped that the election in Texas should not turn on which candidate is better suited to perform at "quinceañeras," referring to the lavish, coming-of-age parties traditionally thrown for girls turning 15 in Latin cultures.

His campaign said Pulido asked local quinceañeras if he could attend them, drawing nearly 1,000 invites to parties in the district.

Pulido's ties to Mexico extend beyond his music career.

A person familiar with Pulido's background said his wife still lives in Mexico along with children from previous marriages. He also owns a house there and told interviewers in 2025 that he goes to Mexico for healthcare.

His campaign confirmed that Pulido does not have dual citizenship.