Democratic Texas Judge Lina Hidalgo, who has faced recent controversy, says she will temporarily reduce her public schedule while dealing with a “lingering sore throat and intense fatigue.”
Hidalgo, 35, the Harris County judge, said on social media that she expects to be “less visible around the community for the next several weeks” after doctors diagnosed her with mononucleosis, often referred to as mono.
The detailed update, shared on Facebook Thursday evening, followed her appearance earlier in the day at a Commissioners Court meeting, where she was seen wearing a KN95 mask.
Hidalgo has previously drawn attention after being spotted searching for World Cup tickets during official meetings and after saying she was “manhandled” by Houston rodeo staff when she was denied VIP entry because she did not have a ticket.
Her announcement that she would be scaling back her duties prompted a sharp backlash online, with hundreds of commenters accusing her of avoiding work.
Hidalgo said, however, that her doctor requested additional testing after she reported feeling ill and struggling to maintain enough energy to make it through the full session.
“At around 8pm tonight I received lab results confirming a mono diagnosis,” Hidalgo wrote. “The only treatment for mono is rest.”
“My doctor has advised me to rest so that my recovery can be as quick as possible and so that the diagnosis does not evolve into anything more serious,” she added.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, 35, said she’s temporarily stepping back from the bench over a ‘lingering sore throat’ caused by mononucleosis, or mono
In a statement, Hidalgo wrote: ‘At around 8pm tonight I received lab results confirming a mono diagnosis. The only treatment for mono is rest’
‘Thinking my diagnosis was exhaustion, I have recently interacted with community members as usual. Thankfully, mono is not spread through casual contact.’
Hidalgo said she chose to share her diagnosis to be transparent about why she will be out of the public eye for the next several weeks as she recovers under the doctor’s orders.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recovery generally takes around four to six weeks.
The agency also notes that infectious mononucleosis – a contagious illness most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) – spreads through bodily fluids, particularly saliva.
Common symptoms include extreme fatigue, fever, a sore throat, headaches, body aches, swollen lymph nodes and, in some cases, an enlarged liver or spleen.
Hidalgo’s statement continued: ‘My team will represent me when necessary. I remain fully available and reachable, especially in the event of an emergency.’
‘I might not have the stamina I normally do, but I have a full team of professionals and if there comes a time when my illness prevents me from doing something, then I will be transparent about it,’ she added.
‘I expect to be back to normal after a few weeks of limited engagements.’
Hidalgo has made headlines numerous times since her November 2018 election as Harris County judge, when she became the first woman and first Latina to hold the position.
Hidalgo has made headlines numerous times since her November 2018 election, when she became the first woman and first Latina to hold the position
Last year, Hidalgo claimed was ‘manhandled’ by Houston rodeo staff after being turned away from VIP access without buying a $425 ticket for the sold-out Megan Moroney concert
Hidalgo faced scrutiny over a Vogue essay about her then-husband, in which she wrote that he drained his life savings to help treat her depression
She also faced scrutiny over a revealing Vogue essay about her then-husband, in which she wrote that he drained his life savings to help treat her depression.
Thursday’s announcement sparked similar backlash, with hundreds flooding Hidalgo’s post to accuse her of being entitled and unfit to continue in her role.
‘I assure you, there will be absolutely no noticeable decrease in productivity in your office (due to your absence),’ one comment read.
Similarly, another said: ‘So, basically, it’s like most days where you “limit your engagement” except for the rodeo and other fun stuff. Makes sense.’
‘Knew something like this was coming! Time for another extended “wellness/mental health” retreat!’ a third read.
One user wrote: ‘Maybe you got Mono from kissing the butts of anyone that could get you free tickets to events,’ while another said: ‘Hope this doesn’t mean you’ll miss any concerts or rodeos.’
‘Taxpayers pay for this nonsense. Go get the help you need by retiring!’ another added.
Most recently, a photo surfaced on X showing Hidalgo sitting near her laptop during a Commissioners Court meeting, with a browser tab open to resale tickets for an upcoming soccer match in Houston.
Many compared the moment to a March incident when Hidalgo and five guests attended country singer Megan Moroney’s concert at the Houston Rodeo.
Staff told KTRK News that Hidalgo and her guests were barred from accessing the venue’s dirt floor because they had not purchased the $425 premium-area tickets, and the show was already sold out.
The Latina official claimed security staff grabbed, shoved and threatened her when she tried to enter the area anyway, prompting her to suggest that she was a victim of racism.
‘I’ve always been [on the floor], never needed a wristband,’ she told the news outlet. ‘At some point, they said it was, you know, that these are paid seats. I said, “Okay, I will pay for them.”‘
Rodeo employees said Hidalgo was repeatedly asked to return to the venue’s county suite before being told to leave. She later claimed she was escorted out ‘like herded cattle,’ while staff said that she left without an escort.
Meanwhile, the venue claimed Hidalgo’s team had already secured nearly $9,000 in free floor tickets for shows held on the three nights before the incident.
In a scathing letter to the rodeo chairman, she claimed she had ‘never accepted anything inappropriately or used my role to personally enrich myself even though many others have.’
Hidalgo also suggested that she would not have been treated this way if she were a ‘male county executive’ and singled out white men, claiming they have ‘felt emboldened to treat others, particularly Hispanics with physical force.’
In March, Hidalgo claimed security staff grabbed, shoved and threatened her, prompting her to suggest that she was a victim of racism
Houston Rodeo staff claimed Hidalgo’s team had already secured nearly $9,000 in free floor tickets for shows held on the three nights before the incident
Last year, Hidalgo announced her separation from her husband, personal injury attorney David James, on their first wedding anniversary
In August 2023, Hidalgo took a nine-week leave from the bench to undergo outpatient mental health treatment
Last year, Hidalgo stunned the public by announcing her separation from her husband, personal injury attorney David James, on their first wedding anniversary.
She revealed the news in a lengthy Instagram caption beneath a photo of the pair awkwardly kissing, which initially appeared to celebrate their marriage rather than announce its end.
The split came shortly after she disclosed that he had used the bulk of his life savings to help pay for her treatment for clinical depression.
In August 2023, Hidalgo took a nine-week leave from the bench to undergo outpatient mental health treatment, months before James proposed.
She later revealed that his support, including paying her medical bills and helping her experience their wedding fully, was one reason she accepted his proposal.
In her Vogue essay, Hidalgo wrote about her mental health struggles and cited fears over ‘natural disasters in Texas’ as one factor behind her depression.
She also said therapy taught her how to manage ‘sadness, worry or exhaustion’ stemming from friends’ illnesses, natural disasters and workplace challenges.
The Daily Mail has contacted Hidalgo for comment.
