Tejano, Talarico & The Democratic Resurrection in Texas
The Lincoln Project
The Lincoln Project
4.6 • 9.1K Ratings
🗓️ 26 May 2026
⏱️ 61 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
While Washington melts down in a fog of billionaire grifters, culture-war addicts, and broken-brain politics, the real fight for America is happening at backyard parties, dance halls, and quinceañeras across South Texas. In this episode, Rick sits down with legendary Tejano musician and Texas congressional candidate Bobby Pulido to talk about the Rio Grande Valley, working-class families, quinceañera campaign stops, and why authenticity still matters in politics. Then we revisit Rick’s conversation with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, whose ability to connect with voters feels almost extinct in modern American politics. From economic anxiety and cultural identity to the chaos consuming the country, this episode is about the people still fighting to meet voters where they actually live — not where consultants think they live. Texas politics, Latino voters, Tejano culture, the Rio Grande Valley, working-class America, and the battle for the future of the country — all in one explosive conversation.
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Support Bobby Pulido’s campaign for Congress at https://bobbypulidofortexas.com, and keep up with his campaign on socials @PulidoForTexas.
You can find information about James Talarico’s campaign for Senate at https://jamestalarico.com, and follow him on social media @jamestalarico.
Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson, on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social, and you can check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. You can check out more of LP's work at www.lincolnproject.us and on X at @ProjectLincoln.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Oh, yeah, we're a bunch of Mexican rednecks down here, man. Our people down here. I'm not lying, we're country. We're real country boys down here. I'm an Anglo redneck, but I feel your pain. I get you. Yeah, yeah. I mean, you know, our biggest fundraisers down here are ski shoots. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battlehearted. |
| 0:22.6 | There is not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America. |
| 0:31.6 | Good night and good luck. |
| 0:33.6 | Hey, folks, welcome back to the Lincoln Project Podcast. As always, I'm your host, Rick Wilson. |
| 0:38.5 | I want to thank everybody for joining us today, as always. |
| 0:41.1 | Do me a big favor before we get started to like and subscribe on whatever app you are listening on. |
| 0:44.8 | I am absolutely thrilled today to have Bobby Polito on with us. |
| 0:49.2 | Bobby Polito is running for the nomination in Texas 15. |
| 0:58.2 | He is a absolute superstar in this year's campaign firmament, a guy who really has a non-political background, but has made a big splash |
| 1:07.4 | in Texas this year because he is really broken through. Bobby, I want to welcome you |
| 1:12.4 | to the show. Thank you so much for coming on today. How is the campaign going? Tell us about |
| 1:16.8 | how it feels on the ground right now. It feels amazing. And I know everybody that's ever run for office |
| 1:24.5 | says the same thing. I truly mean it. It feels really good. |
| 1:28.9 | I come from a political family, Rick. My uncle was the longest servant, district attorney |
| 1:35.1 | in the state of Texas for 30 years down here in the Doggo County. And my other uncle actually |
| 1:40.7 | was county clerk and then became county judge. So we've been a part of campaigns |
| 1:45.1 | all my life. I was a political science major in college. And so, yeah, I am a political nerd. |
| 1:53.5 | But music got in the way. And so. A hobbyist. Yeah, you know, music was my hobby and became my, you know, |
| 2:01.8 | but politics has always been my passion. |
| 2:03.9 | Nice to meet you. |
| 2:05.7 | Campaign season typically means meeting voters, door knocking, and delivering signs. |
| 2:10.8 | All right. |
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