Bobby Pulido, a Latin music star turned Democratic candidate for Congress in Texas’ 15th District, is facing criticism over a joke he made years ago about a former bandmate who was later convicted of a serious crime involving a child.
Pulido, a two-time Latin Grammy winner, has said he was unaware of Frankie Caballero’s criminal history and cut ties with him as soon as he found out. Caballero is a registered sex offender who was convicted of indecent contact with an 8-year-old girl. Despite that, Pulido’s political opponent, Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz, argues that the singer knew more than he has admitted.
The issue resurfaced after video from a 2018 concert began circulating. In the clip, Pulido refers to Caballero as a “bad man” and makes a joke about him attending “Penn State,” before quickly brushing it off and laughing. The remark has drawn attention because some interpret it as a reference either to child abuse scandals or to time spent in prison.
De La Cruz has seized on the moment, accusing Pulido of knowingly associating with Caballero for years. She has gone further, claiming that Pulido continued to bring him into public settings even after his criminal behavior was known.
In interviews, she has framed the situation as a matter of judgment and responsibility, questioning why Caballero remained part of Pulido’s professional circle.
Pulido’s campaign has pushed back strongly. A spokesperson called De La Cruz’s accusations false and politically motivated, insisting that Pulido had no knowledge of Caballero’s status as a sex offender. They maintain that once management became aware of his record in 2021, he was immediately fired and no longer involved.
The back-and-forth has escalated beyond just Pulido’s past. His campaign has pointed to allegations made against De La Cruz during her 2021 divorce proceedings, when her ex-husband accused her of abusive behavior toward a child. Those claims were denied by De La Cruz, and although a temporary restraining order was issued at the time, it was later dissolved and no charges were filed.
Meanwhile, questions remain about the timeline of Pulido’s relationship with Caballero. Records show Caballero was first arrested on child sex abuse charges in 1992, before collaborating with Pulido in the mid-1990s. He was later convicted in 2014 and served prison time, but returned to touring with Pulido several years after his release. Videos from 2018 through 2021 show the two performing together in multiple cities.
A former prosecutor in Hidalgo County has weighed in, suggesting the 2018 joke raises doubts about Pulido’s claim that he didn’t know about Caballero’s past. According to that view, the comment could be interpreted as an inside reference, though Pulido’s team continues to reject that interpretation.
As the race continues, the controversy has become another flashpoint in an already heated campaign, with both sides trading accusations and trying to shape how voters interpret a complicated and troubling set of facts.
