Gun owners Berman and Pulido target rural voters in key House races
Two Democratic challengers in Wisconsin and Texas are emphasizing their hunting backgrounds to court voters in districts that voted for Donald Trump in the last two presidential elections.
By Giulia Marshall ·
Mitchell Berman and Bobby Pulido are using their experience with firearms to build a bridge to rural voters in two competitive congressional districts. Both men face Republican opponents in races that are expected to be decided by narrow margins next week. Their campaigns center on a strategy that presents them as natural parts of the communities they represent, rather than outsiders imposing urban norms.
In Wisconsin’s 1st District, Berman runs against Republican Rep. Bryan Steil. Berman has aired advertisements that show him fishing with a handgun in a holster and shooting clay pigeons. In one spot, a target marked with the words “Data Centers” explodes in the air, and his six-year-old daughter calls out, “Great shot, Dad!” Berman told NBC News that he carries a sidearm when he goes into the woods for protection against bears, wolves, and mountain lions.
Steil won re-election in 2024 by a 10 point margin. President Trump carried the district in both 2020 and 2024. However, recent polling suggests the race is closer than the historical numbers indicate, giving Democrats a chance to hold onto the seat.
Across the country in Texas’s 15th District, Bobby Pulido is challenging Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz. Pulido is a Tejano singer who has posted videos of himself shooting targets from a mile away. His home features a room filled with hunting trophies, and he has named his oldest son Remington. He told NBC News that in rural areas, firearms are a way of life, noting that fundraisers in the Rio Grande Valley often take place at skeet shooting events rather than golf courses.
The district was redrawn earlier this year to favor Republicans. Nevertheless, a shift in the Latino vote and economic concerns have put De La Cruz at risk. Trump won the area in the last two presidential cycles, but the current political dynamics have made the race competitive.
These campaigns are part of a wider Democratic effort to win back rural voters in red-leaning areas. The candidates are hoping to start a new conversation around guns by proving they understand the local culture. This approach contrasts with traditional Democratic messaging, which often focused on gun control measures.
The strategy relies on the idea that personal experience with hunting and shooting can build trust with voters who feel out of touch by the national party. By showcasing their skills and backgrounds, Berman and Pulido aim to make their candidacy feel familiar and authentic to the residents of their districts.
