UPDATE, April 11: The story has been updated with additional information from Cindy Siegel.

Former Bellaire Mayor Cindy Siegel resigned as second vice-chair of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County board Monday, citing an intention to run for U.S. Congress as her reason for leaving.

"Thank you for the opportunity to serve the citizens of the fourteen cities and the Metro community," Siegel said in her April 8 resignation email, obtained by Community Impact Newspaper. "The people who work for Metro are stellar and I have tremendous respect for the dedication of my fellow board members."

Siegel confirmed her intention to run for Texas' seventh congressional seat in a statement to Community Impact Newspaper today.

"Texas’ seventh congressional district, like most of our state, has seen changes in the past few years, but the fundamentals remain true. We want a leader who's experienced and knowledgeable about our district. We want a leader who is committed to our district and values. We want a leader we can trust," the statement said. "That’s why I am proud to announce my candidacy for Congress of Texas’ seventh congressional district."

Siegel is currently the president of the Greater Houston Council of Federated Republican Women’s Clubs and has served as the vice chairman for the Harris County Republican Party and as president of the Magic Circle Republican Women’s Club.

"Our conservative values of limited government, fiscal responsibility, and personal liberty are deeply important to me, and why I have worked hard to give back to our Republican Party," Siegel said in the statement. "Even before I was a leader in these organizations, I was a grassroots activist—working alongside our fellow Republicans to elect principled leaders to office."

Siegel, who was Bellaire’s mayor from 2004 to 2012 before becoming second vice-chair of METRO's board of directors in March 2012, is also a certified public accountant with almost 30 years of experience.

She will be running against U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston, who was elected last November over former U.S. Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, with 52.5% of the vote. Culberson had held Texas’ seventh congressional seat since 2001.

Military veteran Wesley Hunt, also a Republican, announced his candidacy for Texas’ seventh congressional district against Fletcher on April 1.

Read the full statement from Siegel below.

"Texas’ Seventh Congressional District, like most of our state, has seen changes in the past few years, but the fundamentals remain true. We want a leader who's experienced and knowledgeable about our district.  We want a leader who is committed to our district and values. We want a leader we can trust.

That’s why I am proud to announce my candidacy for Congress of Texas’ Seventh Congressional District. My qualifications,  unique background, and long association with the community make me the best candidate to represent our Houston values in Washington.

My connection to this district spans nearly 30 years. I have raised my family here, built my business here, and volunteered alongside my neighbors.  I know I have what it takes to give this district the representation it deserves in Congress.

As the former Mayor of Bellaire and a Certified Public Accountant for the last 35 years, I will bring the right combination of effective public policy and real-world experience to Congress. My experience also includes serving on the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority Board of Directors and as the treasurer for various Republican organizations. From oversight of budgets to addressing the concerns that matter most to my constituents and clients, I know how to deliver results time and again. 

Our conservative values of limited government, fiscal responsibility, and personal liberty are deeply important to me, and why I have worked hard to give back to our Republican Party. I am the President of the Greater Houston Council of Federated Republican Women’s Clubs, I have served as the Vice Chairman for the Harris County Republican Party, and as President of the Magic Circle Republican Women’s Club. Even before I was a leader in these organizations, I was a grassroots activist - working alongside our fellow Republicans to elect principled leaders to office.  And at the end of the day, I know how to activate the grassroots to be successful at the ballot box, both in the Primary and in the General Election. 

This district is special and needs a uniquely qualified candidate. I know I am the type of leader that our district needs. I am knowledgeable, I am experienced, I am committed, and I am someone you can trust.

Over the next few months, I look forward to visiting with you, hearing from you, and learning about your own personal stories and concerns. I know that by listening to each other, I can earn your support in the coming months to ultimately win this seat back in 2020."