Mayra Flores Hospitalized After 2026 Campaign Announcement

Former Republican Rep. Mayra Flores announced her candidacy to challenge Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar in Texas' 28th Congressional District for the 2026 elections. Just hours after her campaign launch, her team reported that she had been hospitalized, though no specifics about her condition were disclosed. Flores, the first Mexican-born congresswoman, previously won a special election in 2022 but lost her subsequent bids for a full term. Her campaign expressed hope for her recovery and emphasized her commitment to serving the community. Cuellar, who has represented the district for two decades, faces federal bribery charges and is viewed as vulnerable in the upcoming race. The shift in Flores' candidacy reflects the growing Republican momentum in South Texas, a region traditionally dominated by Democrats.