Newly elected U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores (R-TX) has accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of pushing her daughter during Flores’ swearing-in ceremony.
Flores won the seat earlier this month in a special election in South Texas, flipping a traditionally Democrat district. Flores is also the country’s first Mexican woman to be sworn into Congress.
A video of Flores’ swearing-in ceremony that circulated online appeared to show Pelosi pushing Flores’ daughter aside while posing for a picture.
I am so proud of my strong, beautiful daughter for not allowing this to faze her. She continued to smile and pose for the picture like a Queen.
No child should be pushed to the side for a photo op. PERIOD!! https://t.co/TA50EntDoq
— Mayra Flores For Congress 🇺🇸🦅 (@MayraFlores2022) June 27, 2022
Flores fired back, tweeting support for her daughter. “She continued to smile and pose for the picture like a queen. No child should be pushed to the side for a photo op. PERIOD!!”
However, Pelosi’s Deputy Chief of Staff Drew Hammill responded to the claim, tweeting, “It’s sad to see news outlets that know better misrepresent the Speaker’s effort to ensure Rep. Flores’ daughter wouldn’t be hidden behind her in all of the photos of such an important moment for the family.”
Flores flipped the district after garnering 51 percent of the vote, while her Democrat opposition received 43 percent of the vote. She now faces the November midterm elections, as the district was redrawn to be more favorable to Democrats.
“Thank you, Congresswoman Flores, for your courage to run for office. And best wishes for your success,” said Pelosi. “It’s an honor to work with you.”
