MAGA-Aligned GOP Rep. Hospitalized Shortly After Launching Congressional Bid
Mayra Flores, a Republican known for her affiliation with the "MAGA" movement, was hospitalized just hours after publicly announcing her campaign to reclaim her former congressional seat, according to a statement released by her team on Tuesday. The message, which asked for "prayers and support," did not provide further details on her condition.
Earlier in the day, Flores had declared her intent to run for Texas' 28th Congressional District, a seat currently held by Democrat Henry Cuellar. Cuellar, a longtime incumbent, was "convicted in March on federal bribery allegations," making him a controversial figure in the race. Flores, notably the "first woman born in Mexico to serve in Congress," is aiming to unseat him.
The sudden nature of her hospitalization came as a surprise to many of her supporters, who quickly took to social media to offer encouragement. Her campaign shared, "Former and future Congresswoman Mayra Flores, a devoted conservative fighting corruption in Texas’s 28th District, has been hospitalized." They went on to say, "During this challenging time, we humbly ask for your prayers and support."
"Mayra’s passion for building a brighter future for our children, grandchildren, and generations to come is at the heart of everything she does," the campaign continued. "Guided by faith and determination, she remains steadfast in her mission during this critical moment."
At this time, no additional information has been released regarding the nature of her medical issue or why she was hospitalized. Earlier that same day, Flores shared her decision to run through a powerful statement emphasizing her "conservative principles" and commitment to the "values that make our nation great."
“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. She framed the campaign as one rooted in "a love for our country and a commitment to fight for justice, opportunity, and unity for all."
She also encouraged backers to support the campaign financially, stating that “your contribution, regardless of the size, is a powerful investment in the future of our community and our nation.”
In 2022, Flores made headlines during a special election in Texas’ 34th District, but despite an initial win, she ultimately lost in the general election later that year. Now, she’s setting her sights on a new challenge, targeting Cuellar—who has been linked to a "comprehensive bribery operation with Azerbaijani interests."
Discussing her motivations, Flores previously told Fox News, “Unfortunately, we don’t have that many voices in the Spanish-speaking community — in Telemundo, in television — talking to the Spanish-speaking community about the amazing work President Trump is doing, and his administration.”
She added, “And that’s something that I feel I’m obligated to do, 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 concluded with a strong sense of duty: “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.” She emphasized, “This is a seat that can be flipped in 2026. Right now we need a much bigger majority. It makes it very difficult for President Trump to get anything across with such a small majority.”
Reflecting on Cuellar’s legal troubles, she stated, “At the end of the day, I don’t care what party he is, whether you’re a Republican or you’re a Democrat… 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.”