Mealer, Briscoe Cain Advance to May 26 GOP Runoff in Texas 9th

Alex Mealer and state Rep. Briscoe Cain emerged as the top two vote-getters in the Republican primary for the newly redrawn Texas 9th Congressional District and are set to face each other in a May 26 GOP runoff if no candidate clears 50 percent. Houston Public Media reported that early voting returns showed Mealer with 37.1 percent of the early vote and Cain with 30.8 percent, and described the initial returns as “complete but unofficial” while Election Day ballots in the Harris County and Liberty County portions of the district were still being counted.

The 9th District that produced the runoff is anchored in east Harris County and includes the Houston Ship Channel corridor, a configuration created by mid-decade redistricting that shifted the seat from a once-solidly Democratic district to one that favors Republicans. Before redrawing, the 9th covered southern Houston and parts of Fort Bend and Brazoria counties; Ballotpedia noted incumbent Rep. Al Green is running in the Democratic primary for the 18th District in 2026, and that Green previously carried the 9th with at least 70 percent of the vote in past general elections.

Mealer brings a statewide profile and money to the runoff. Ballotpedia and reporting in the Texas Tribune say Mealer was the Republican nominee for Harris County Judge in 2022, losing to Lina Hidalgo 51 percent to 49 percent, is a U.S. Army veteran, worked in the finance industry, and served on the METRO board from 2024 to 2025. Her campaign tagline in Ballotpedia’s summary reads, “I lead when others run away.” Ballotpedia and the Tribune report Mealer has raised nearly $1 million and carried a war chest of over $600,000 going into the primary, and she lists endorsements from businessman Jim McIngvale (Mattress Mack), Harris County Commissioner Tom Ramsey, and the Texas Municipal Police Association. Campaign materials and Ballotpedia note she emphasizes election security and federal funding for law enforcement and says she would help “deliver President Trump’s America First vision.”

Cain, a longtime local elected official, offers legislative experience and local ties. Ballotpedia reports Cain has served in the Texas House of Representatives since 2016, is an attorney, and serves in the Texas State Guard. Ballotpedia quotes Cain as saying he has “[led] the charge for limited government, secure borders, election integrity, and protecting life and liberty,” and notes he has pledged to support gun ownership and President Donald Trump’s immigration policies while vowing to “protect faith, freedom, and Texas families.” Cain’s campaign finance haul was reported at nearly $400,000, and he carries endorsements from U.S. Reps. Pete Sessions and Randy Weber.

Multiple wire and local outlets, including Associated Press-syndicated coverage, ran headlines confirming both candidates advance to a runoff; KHQA and other outlets also published short items saying Mealer and Cain “advance” based on unofficial returns. Reporting across outlets differed on the size of the Republican field: Houston Public Media described a nine-candidate primary while Ballotpedia listed eight candidates. That discrepancy and the fact Election Day ballots were still being tallied mean certified, county-level vote totals from Harris County and Liberty County election officials will be needed to finalize the result and precinct breakdowns.

The May 26 runoff will pit Mealer’s financial edge and named local endorsements against Cain’s legislative resume and congressional endorsements as Republicans decide a nominee for a district that, while redrawn to favor Republicans, continues to draw scrutiny from operatives who say demographic shifts could keep November competitive.