A Health Scare Amid Political Ambitions
Republican Mayra Flores, the first Mexican-born woman to serve in the U.S. Congress, has been hospitalized just hours after announcing her bid to reclaim her former congressional seat in Texas’s 28th Congressional District. According to a statement from her campaign, Flores faced a sudden health scare, but has since received excellent care and is now recovering. Her team has asked supporters for prayers and well-wishes during this challenging time.
In an announcement posted on Tuesday, her campaign shared the news of Flores’ hospitalization, noting that while she is currently taking time to recover, her determination to fight for the people of Texas remains unwavering. Flores, who previously represented part of Texas’ 34th District, had launched her campaign earlier in the day to retake the 28th District, which is currently held by Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar.
Cuellar, a long-serving congressman, has recently been embroiled in legal issues after being convicted in March on federal bribery charges related to a massive bribery conspiracy involving Azerbaijani interests. This scandal has heightened the stakes in the upcoming race, as Flores is positioning herself as the strong alternative to Cuellar, particularly with his political future uncertain.
The Unexpected Health Scare
Despite the unexpected setback of her hospitalization, Flores’ campaign insists that her passion for serving the people of Texas has not diminished. The official statement read, “Former and future Congresswoman Mayra Flores, a devoted conservative fighting corruption in Texas’s 28th District, has been hospitalized. During this challenging time, we humbly ask for your prayers and support.”
The campaign continued by assuring supporters that Flores is recovering and feeling stronger each day. “Thanks to the incredible care she received and the support of her loved ones, she is now fully recovering and feeling stronger than ever,” the update stated. “Mayra will be back on the campaign trail soon—stronger than ever and ready to fight for the people of South Texas.”
While the campaign refrained from sharing specific details about the cause of her hospitalization, the swift recovery is a positive sign, and Flores remains determined to push forward with her political goals.
Flores’ Political Candidacy
Earlier in the day, Flores had posted a passionate statement announcing her candidacy for the 2026 election in Texas’ 28th Congressional District. Her decision to run comes at a time when Cuellar’s future in the seat is in serious jeopardy, given his legal troubles.
“I am deeply honored to announce my candidacy for Congress—a chance to serve the people and uphold the values that make our nation great,” Flores wrote. “This campaign is driven by a love for our country and a commitment to fight for justice, opportunity, and unity for all.”
Her campaign message emphasizes conservative values, including a focus on fighting corruption and advocating for policies that will benefit the Hispanic community. She has positioned herself as a strong voice for change, particularly in light of Cuellar’s involvement in the corruption scandal.
Flores made history in 2022 by briefly flipping Texas’ 34th District in a special election, making her the first Mexican-born woman to represent Texas in the U.S. Congress. However, she lost the general election later that year. Despite this setback, Flores’ political ambitions remain strong, and she is now turning her focus to Texas’ 28th District, a seat she believes she can flip in 2026.
A Call to Fight Against Misinformation
In a recent interview with Fox News, Flores addressed what she sees as a critical need to fight against the misinformation being spread by the left, particularly among Spanish-speaking communities in South Texas. She emphasized her belief that former President Donald Trump’s policies were beneficial to the country, especially for Hispanic Americans, and that there was a need for more conservative voices to combat the left-wing narrative.
“I feel I’m obligated to do [this], because there’s a lot of misinformation being spread from the left, and they’re trying to instill fear and hate in the Hispanic community,” Flores said. “We don’t have that many voices in the Spanish-speaking community—on Telemundo, on television—talking to the Spanish-speaking community about the amazing work President Trump is doing and his administration.”
She also stressed the importance of unity in the country and in politics, saying, “It’s not about what Mayra Flores wants. It’s what this country needs me to do. And this country needs me to run in Texas 28 and win this seat.”
Flores further explained that Texas’ 28th District could very well be flipped in 2026, especially given the shifting political climate and Cuellar’s legal troubles. “This is a seat that can be flipped in 2026. Right now we need a much bigger majority,” she noted. “It makes it very difficult for President Trump to get anything across with such a small majority.”
A History of Breakthroughs and Challenges
Flores’ previous election to Congress in 2022, although short-lived, was seen as a breakthrough for both women and Hispanic Americans in the Republican Party. Her candidacy in Texas’ 34th District briefly flipped the traditionally blue seat red, making waves for the GOP in a district that has been historically Democratic.
However, Flores was unable to hold onto the seat in the general election. Despite this, her campaign remains a powerful example of the potential for Republicans to connect with Hispanic voters, especially those in traditionally Democrat-leaning areas.
As Flores gears up for another bid for Congress, she will be facing off against the controversial Henry Cuellar, whose legal issues have overshadowed his political career. With Cuellar’s future uncertain, Flores sees an opportunity to lead and represent Texas’s 28th District, which covers parts of San Antonio and South Texas.
Support from Trump and Conservative Backers
Flores has also garnered support from Republican leaders and conservative activists who see her as a strong ally in the fight against the left-wing agenda. She has made it clear that her campaign will be about representing the people and fighting against corruption, even as she faces significant challenges in her bid to represent South Texas.
In her recent statements, Flores called out the Democratic Party for what she believes is a failure to represent the values of the people of South Texas. “At the end of the day, I don’t care what party he is, whether you’re a Republican or you’re a Democrat,” she said. “Being a member, it’s a position where you can help so many people, and you are able to represent an entire district. And yet he threw it all away. And no amount of money is worth you doing that to your country.”
Looking Forward: A Fight for Texas
As Flores recovers from her health scare, it is clear that her determination to reclaim her seat and serve her constituents remains stronger than ever. The stakes for Texas’ 28th District could not be higher, and Flores is positioning herself as the conservative alternative to a scandal-plagued Democrat.
Her recovery and future campaign will be closely watched, as the political climate in Texas continues to evolve. With strong support from the GOP and a clear vision for the future, Flores is poised to be a key figure in the 2026 election, fighting not only for herself but for the values that she believes will help lead the country forward.
