The sister of Vanessa Guillén, a U.S. Army soldier who was murdered and dismembered at Fort Hood in Texas, is considering running for Congress against Rep. Al Green, D-Texas. Mayra Guillén expressed interest in challenging Green after watching his behavior during President Donald Trump’s address to Congress. She believes it is time to end the propaganda displayed by politicians and support a Make America Great Again agenda. While Guillén has not officially filed paperwork for a campaign, she has made it clear that she intends to run against Green, who has represented his congressional district since 2005.
Mayra Guillén founded the “I am Vanessa Guillén Foundation” in 2021 to advocate for survivors of sexual violence in the military. Vanessa Guillén, a 20-year-old soldier stationed at Fort Hood, was reported missing in April 2020, sparking a search that revealed she had been murdered and dismembered by a fellow soldier, Aaron Robinson, who later died by suicide. Robinson’s girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for her involvement in the crime. Guillén’s family believes she was sexually harassed during her time at Fort Hood, a claim that Army officials initially disputed but later acknowledged in a report.
The family of Vanessa Guillén believes she deserves the same respect as George Floyd and is calling on President Biden to take action. They have criticized the handling of the case by Army officials and called for reforms to protect survivors of sexual violence in the military. Legislation passed in 2021 in honor of Guillén aimed to empower survivors to report abuse and harassment and limit the authority of commanders in these cases. Army officials disciplined 21 officers in connection with Guillén’s death and renamed Fort Hood to Fort Cavazos in her memory.
Mayra Guillén’s potential congressional run against Rep. Al Green has attracted attention from local media outlets, though she has not yet filed the necessary paperwork for a campaign. Green, a long-time Democratic congressman, was censured by Republicans for his behavior during a past presidential address. Guillén’s decision to challenge him reflects her desire to fight against what she sees as disrespect towards the president, the district, and the country. While Green has held his seat uncontested in the past, Guillén’s entry into the race could bring significant attention to her advocacy for survivors of sexual violence in the military and efforts to honor her sister’s memory.
Despite the tragic circumstances of Vanessa Guillén’s death, her family has turned their grief into activism through the “I am Vanessa Guillén Foundation.” They have called for accountability for the failures that led to her murder and have sought to bring attention to the pervasive issues of sexual harassment and assault in the military. The renaming of Fort Hood to Fort Cavazos and the passage of legislation to protect survivors are seen as important steps towards justice for Guillén and those who have suffered similar fates. Mayra Guillén’s potential congressional run represents a further step in their fight for justice and change.
