In a significant victory for former President Donald Trump’s endorsement power, Alex Mealer, an Army combat veteran and energy executive, emerged victorious in the GOP primary runoff for a congressional seat in Texas. Mealer defeated state Rep. Briscoe Cain in a closely watched race for the Houston-based district, according to the Associated Press.
Mealer, who received Trump’s backing shortly before the initial round of voting in March, secured 36% of the vote in that round, leading to a runoff against Cain, who garnered 31%. The district, redrawn to favor Republicans, is expected to flip to GOP control, with the Cook Political Report rating it as noncompetitive. Trump would have carried the district by nearly 20 points in the 2024 election.
Endorsements and Support
Mealer’s campaign was bolstered by support from the conservative Club for Growth, known for its significant spending in GOP primaries, and Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. Her opponent, Cain, was endorsed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and received backing from groups such as the National Rifle Association, Concerned Women for America, and the Young Republicans of Texas.
Cain, a member of the Texas House of Representatives since 2017, is recognized as one of the most conservative figures in the state legislature. Despite his strong conservative credentials and endorsements, Mealer’s campaign, with Trump’s endorsement, proved to be more compelling to voters in this solidly Republican district.
Looking Ahead to the General Election
Mealer will now face environmental activist Leticia Gutierrez in the upcoming general election. The district’s new boundaries, part of a GOP-friendly gerrymander, effectively removed longtime Democratic Rep. Al Green from his seat. Green has since decided to challenge Rep. Christian Menefee for Houston’s sole Democratic seat, which also resulted in a runoff election.
Mealer previously ran for Harris County Judge in 2022, narrowly losing to Judge Lina Hidalgo. During that campaign, she also received Trump’s endorsement, demonstrating the former president’s continued influence in Texas politics.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
