Vanessa Guillén’s sister says she might run against Rep Al Green after his ‘disrespect’ of Trump

Mayra Guillén, the sister of murdered U.S. Army soldier Vanessa Guillén, is considering a potential congressional challenge against Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, after being inspired by his behavior during President Donald Trump’s recent address to Congress. Guillén expressed her intentions to run against Green in a post on social media, citing her desire to support Trump and his administration in making America great again.

The Houston Chronicle and other local outlets have reported on Guillén’s possible candidacy, although she has not yet filed the necessary paperwork to officially launch a campaign. Green, who has represented a predominantly Democratic district in Houston since 2005, was unopposed in the last election but now faces potential competition from Guillén.

Green made headlines during Trump’s previous congressional address for shouting over the president and waving his cane, leading to his removal from the chamber and subsequent censure by Republican lawmakers. In contrast, Guillén has been actively involved in advocating for military justice reform since her sister’s tragic death at Fort Hood in 2020.

Following Vanessa Guillén’s disappearance and murder, Mayra Guillén founded the “I am Vanessa Guillén Foundation” to amplify the voices of survivors of sexual violence in the military. Vanessa Guillén’s case drew national attention and prompted calls for systemic changes in how the military addresses sexual harassment and assault.

Vanessa Guillén, a 20-year-old soldier stationed at Fort Hood, was brutally murdered and dismembered by a fellow soldier, Aaron Robinson, who later died by suicide as authorities closed in on him. Cecily Aguilar, Robinson’s girlfriend, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for her role in helping him dispose of Guillén’s body. The Guillén family believes Vanessa was sexually harassed during her time at Fort Hood, a claim supported by a subsequent Army report.

In response to Guillén’s death and the systemic issues it exposed, state and federal lawmakers passed legislation to enhance protections for military personnel and improve reporting mechanisms for abuse and harassment. The Army also disciplined numerous officers in connection with the case, and Fort Hood was renamed Fort Cavazos in honor of a trailblazing Hispanic general.

As Mayra Guillén contemplates a congressional bid, she aims to bring attention to the failures in leadership that contributed to her sister’s tragic fate and advocate for meaningful reforms within the military. Her potential candidacy represents a continuation of the Guillén family’s fight for justice and accountability in the wake of Vanessa’s senseless death.