Former Republican Rep. Mayra Flores made headlines when it was announced that was hospitalized hours after she announced a run for embattled Rep. Henry Cuellar‘s (D-TX) House seat in Texas.
Flores’s team did not provide much detail about the illness when announcing it on social media, only asking for “prayers and support," as the Washington Examiner reported.
“We pray that Mayra will return stronger than ever, ready to continue her unwavering commitment to serving our country,” the Flores campaign said in its statement.
After confirming the illness, the campaign went on to speak to the former lawmakers' grit and intention going forward.
“Mayra’s passion for building a brighter future for our children, grandchildren, and generations to come is at the heart of everything she does. Guided by faith and determination, she remains steadfast in her mission during this critical moment,” the statement added.
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. We pray that Mayra will return stronger than ever, ready to continue…— Mayra Flores (@MayraFlores4TX) April 15, 2025
Flores flipped the Texas 34th Congressional district just a few years ago, taking it red for the first time in more than a decade.
She made history for another reason, however, as she was the first Mexico-born female member of Congress.
She served only briefly, though. Her tenure in the House of Representatives lasted from late June 2022 to early January 2023 after winning a special election to replace former Democratic Rep. Filemon Vela Jr.
Flores lost to Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) twice, as she lost once in the election for a full term to the 34th District in 2022 and then again in the 2024 elections.
Finally, she challenged Cuellar in the 28th District, which should have been a more reasonable endeavor, considering he was indicted by the Justice Department for bribery and money laundering. Cuellar is one of House Democrats' most vulnerable candidates in 2026.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Flores voiced her desire to represent the Spanish-speaking community and make sure they're appropriately informed about President Trump's administration's remarkable work.
“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,” the former congresswoman said.
Flores faces a challenging race as Cuellar's seat is a "lean Democrat," while Gonzalez's seat is a toss-up and perceived as a Republican pickup opportunity.
