Activist Mayra Guillen, the elder sister of murdered U.S. Army private Vanessa Guillen, has announced that she will challenge Texas Democratic congressman Al Green for his Houston seat after he was censured by the House of Representatives for protesting President Donald Trump’s address to Congress last week.
“After watching Rep Al Green disrespect not only POTUS last night, but our district, state and country, I believe it’s time to get into the fight like I did for my sister Vanessa Guillen,” Mayra Guillen wrote on X in response to Green being ejected from the chamber for heckling the president.
“It’s time to end the propaganda displayed by these politicians, and time to help support POTUS and his amazing Admiration [sic] to Make America Great Again! Al Green I’m coming for your seat.”
Vanessa Guillen, 20, was bludgeoned to death by fellow soldier Aaron David Robinson in the armory of the Fort Cavazos military base (then known as Fort Hood) in Texas on April 22 2020.
She was missing for two months before her burned and dismembered remains were discovered near the Leon River on June 30, news of which led Robinson to flee the base and take his own life when law enforcement attempted to apprehend him in nearby Killeen.
Cecily Aguilar, a local woman identified as Robinson’s girlfriend, was later sentenced to the maximum of 30 years in prison for her role in covering up the killing.
It subsequently emerged that the victim had complained to friends and family about being sexually harassed by a superior prior to her disappearance but had not reported it for fear of retaliation.
Guillen’s grieving family were hosted at the White House by Trump on July 30 2020, during his first term.
Since the tragedy, her sister has lobbied the U.S. military to reform its handling of assault and sexual harassment cases and appears to have been considering making a run for office even before she became incensed by Green’s actions in Congress.
“I’ve been contemplating the idea of running for office… Congresswoman Guillen? & if so, it will all be for you and because of you, sister,” Mayra Guillen posted on X on March 7 prior to Trump’s speech.
While other Democrats were criticized for the perceived meekness of their protests against the president, Green was removed from the chamber by the sergeant-at-arms for shouting over Trump, waving his cane and yelling that he did not have a “mandate to cut Medicaid,” twice ignoring orders from House Speaker Mike Johnson to sit down.
Two days later, the Republican-led House voted 224 to 198 to censure Green for his repeated interruptions, with 10 Democrats backing the GOP’s position.
