Sarah Grunau/ Houston Public Media

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo confirmed her intentions to not seek reelection during a press conference Sept. 16, 2025.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced she has contracted mononucleosis and will be stepping back from public duties as she recovers.

On Thursday, Hidalgo shared a statement on social media announcing she had contracted the contagious viral infection commonly referred to as mono. She made the announcement to explain why she may have a less visible role as the county’s top elected official over the next several weeks.

"I've been dealing with a lingering sore throat and intense fatigue," she wrote in her post. "At around 8 p.m. tonight, I received lab results confirming a mono diagnosis. The only treatment for mono is rest. ... I share this because I will be less visible around the community for the next several weeks while I recover."

As county judge, Hidalgo presides over a five-member commissioners court, which serves as the executive decision-making body for the county government. Harris County, which includes Houston, is the most populous county in Texas and among the most populous in the United States.

Hidalgo said her staff will represent her "when necessary."

"I remain fully available and reachable, especially in the event of an emergency,” Hidalgo wrote. “... I expect to be back to normal after a few weeks of limited engagements."

In 2023, Hidalgo took a two-month leave of absence to receive treatment for clinical depression at an inpatient care facility outside of Texas. Commissioner Rodney Ellis, a fellow Democrat and the longest-tenured county commissioner, presided over commissioners court during her absence.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , mono can last 4-6 weeks and has symptoms including extreme fatigue, fever, sore throat, headaches and body aches. There is no vaccine to protect against mono, according to the CDC.

Hidalgo said she initially thought her symptoms were caused by "exhaustion."

"Thinking my diagnosis was exhaustion, I have recently interacted with community members as usual," she said. "Thankfully, mono is not spread through casual contact."

Hidalgo, who was first elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022, announced last year she would not be seeking a third term. Her tenure will conclude at the end of the year. Democrat Letitia Plummer and Republican Orlando Sanchez are running to succeed Hidalgo and will be on the ballot for November’s election.