Hi. My name is Ricardo Villarreal, and I am the Democrat running for Congress in Texas 28th congressional district. As a physician, healthcare administrator, Army veteran, husband, and father, I personally understand the struggles Texans face today. With more than 25 years of public service solving critical problems, I have been fighting for our families. Now, I am taking that energy to Washington!

I was born and raised in Laredo, but I also spent much of my time at my father's ranch in Nuevo Laredo.  Growing up on the border, I saw first hand the challenges our communities face - drug trafficking, gun violence, immigration, poverty, and limited opportunities. Decades later, things have only gotten worse.

After graduating from United High School, I attended medical school in Guadalajara, Mexico—an unexpected path, but the best choice for me given the high cost of U.S. education.​ My clinical experience in Mexico gave me valuable insight into healthcare and deepened my interest in leadership and organizational development. After practicing medicine for a time, I returned to Texas to earn an MBA in Healthcare Management in San Antonio. 

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Having been in junior ROTC and, in the wake of 9/11, I felt a strong calling to serve my country. I joined the U.S. Army Reserve as an officer in the Medical Service Corps. Balancing civilian healthcare work with military service taught me leadership, discipline, and the importance of teamwork in complex systems.

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After completing my military service, I used the GI Bill to pursue additional graduate degrees in Leadership, Public Affairs, and Public Leadership, focusing on policy analysis, innovation, ethics, and strategy. These experiences strengthened my understanding of how leadership and policy can create lasting community impact.

Over the span of my career, I’ve held roles ranging from front-line clinician to executive leadership where I was tasked with heading enterprise projects, shaping policy, and driving measurable improvements in patient outcomes. My passion lies in continuous improvement and collaboration—getting to the root cause of problems, working alongside people from diverse backgrounds toward a shared goal of making things better than we found them.

 

In recent years just as with being a physician and serving in the military, I have felt a calling to continue to serve. To that end, I’ve worked with nonprofit organizations in Laredo, San Antonio and at the state level advocating for public policy changes that our communities need and deserve. I also ran for Congress in 2022 in a six person primary where I made the runoff. 

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Public service is not easy—but I do it because I believe in being a force for positive change. I believe in setting the example to my two kids in that we can either complain or get up and do something about it. That is why I am running for Congress again.

 

Serving as your representative I promise to give you my all—to listen, to lead, and to work tirelessly for a better future for you and your families.

Can I count on your support to win this crucial seat in Congress for Democrats?