Congressional Candidate Bobby Pulido Confronted Over Association with Convicted Pedophile
Bobby Pulido, a celebrated Latin Grammy Award-winning artist now running as a Democrat for Congress in Texas, is embroiled in a deepening controversy after video evidence emerged showing him referring to a convicted pedophile bandmate as a "bad man." Pulido, famous for Tejano classics like Desvelado, is campaigning to flip Texas's 15th congressional district, a region stretching from east of San Antonio down to the Mexican border.
Revelations of Troubling Ties
The scandal erupted last week when the New York Post disclosed that Pulido had toured extensively with Frankie Caballero, 62, an accordionist sentenced in 2014 to four years in prison for indecent contact with an eight-year-old girl. Following his conviction, Caballero was mandated to register as a sex offender on the Texas Public Sex Offender Website for life.
Pulido's campaign manager, Abel Prado, initially asserted to the Daily Mail that the candidate had no knowledge of Caballero's sex offender status, stating, "Bobby was never made aware of Caballero’s sex offender registration and would never knowingly associate with anyone with that kind of history."
Contradictory Video Evidence
However, a 2018 performance video from Arizona, recorded after Caballero's conviction and prison term, directly contradicts this claim. In the footage, Pulido introduces Caballero on stage, saying, "When I was starting, I was like, 'that guy's a bad man,' and so I brought him over." This remark has sparked intense criticism, as it suggests Pulido was aware of Caballero's notoriety.
Caballero played accordion on Pulido's 1995 breakout hit Desvelado, a collaboration that occurred nearly two decades before his child sex offense conviction. Additionally, Hidalgo County jail records reveal that Caballero was charged in 1992 with aggravated sexual assault against a child, though the outcome of that case remains unclear.
Campaign's Defense and Further Allegations
In response to the video, Prado defended Pulido, telling the Daily Mail, "Watch the full video and it's clear what he meant - turning a comment about a musician being 'bad' into something more is not serious." He dismissed the allegations as "politically motivated attempts to discredit a candidate," reiterating that Pulido had no prior knowledge of Caballero's sex offender registration.
Despite these claims, records indicate that Pulido and Caballero performed together in at least six cities between 2018 and 2021, following Caballero's release from prison. Caballero's criminal history is extensive, encompassing 13 charges ranging from cocaine possession to transporting an unlawful alien from Mexico and domestic violence. In 2009, he pleaded guilty to transportation of an alien as part of a plea deal, receiving a 27-month sentence.
Ongoing Legal Issues and Recent References
In 2020, Caballero was arrested for strangling a family member, Nancy Caballero, and released on a $2,000 bond. He was later indicted and pleaded guilty to domestic assault in 2024, resulting in a five-year prison sentence with credit for 747 days served, allowing parole in January 2026.
Hidalgo County jail records also show that in 2023, Caballero faced another charge of indecent sexual contact with a child for an alleged incident in May 2020, though the case was dismissed after a $100,000 bond was issued.
Prado has stated that Pulido ceased associating with Caballero in 2021. However, as recently as November 2025, Pulido referenced Caballero in an interview with the Houston Chronicle while recounting the recording of Desvelado. He described how Caballero, as a "prolific accordion player," was substituted last-minute for another musician, with Pulido remarking, "And I said, 'F**k Brando, we’re keeping the accordion.'"
This ongoing association and Pulido's public comments have fueled concerns among voters and political analysts, casting a shadow over his congressional bid in a competitive district. The controversy highlights the challenges candidates face when past professional relationships come under scrutiny, particularly in high-stakes electoral environments.
