President Donald Trump has laid his stake in several Texas congressional races after issuing a rolling list of endorsements Monday night, ahead of the start of early voting for the 2026 primary.
In one of his more unanticipated endorsements, Trump threw his support behind Republican candidate Alex Mealer in her bid for Congressional District (CD) 9, against state Rep. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) and seven other GOP primary candidates.
The district, currently held by U.S. Rep. Al Green (D-TX-9), was heavily impacted by the GOP-favored redistricting map that passed the Texas Legislature during the summer of 2025 — legislation initiated at the White House’s request and voted for by Cain in the Texas House. CD 9 is one of five congressional districts expected to flip from blue to red in 2026, with a majority of the current CD 9 folded into the new boundaries of the Democratic stronghold of CD 18, where Green is now running instead.
Trump stated in his endorsement of Mealer, “A West Point Graduate, and Combat Decorated Army Bomb Squad Officer, Alex knows the Wisdom and Courage required to Defend our Country, Support our Military/Veterans, and Ensure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.”
Cain was previously supported by Trump for re-election to the Texas House in a mass endorsement issued for House Republicans who voted to pass education savings accounts legislation. That endorsement did not include members pursuing alternative offices.
According to a recent survey, Mealer leads the Republican primary for CD 9 with 34 percent of the vote, followed by Cain at 26 percent. When the poll was taken there were 10 candidates in the race, but one, Dwayne Stovall, ended his campaign Tuesday and endorsed Dan Mims.
Among the other endorsements announced by Trump via Truth Social posts Monday night was for Jon Bonck in his bid for CD 38, left open by U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX-38), who is running for U.S. Senate against incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Republican primary.
Bonck is competing against nine other Republican candidates, including Shelly deZevallos, Larry Rubin, and Tomball Independent School District President Michael Pratt. The district’s partisan makeup remained unchanged after redistricting, holding at R-65% according to The Texan’s Texas Partisan Index (TPI).
“Jon Bonck is an incredible Candidate,” Trump said in his endorsement.
“He is supported by many MAGA Patriots, including Senator Ted Cruz [(R-TX)], Congressmen ‘Doc’ Ronny Jackson [(R-TX-13)], Brandon Gill [(R-TX-26)], Jim Jordan [(R-OH-4)], and Tim Burchett [(R-TN-2)], among others.”
Trump also endorsed Carlos De La Cruz, brother of Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (R-TX-15), in his bid for CD 35. The district is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX-35), but shifted from a TPI rating of D-70% to R-55% due to redistricting — prompting a crowded Republican field.
“A Brave, 20 Year Air Force Veteran, and now, as a successful Businessman, Carlos has a Proven Record of Success — He is a WINNER!” Trump posted.
He also endorsed Jessica Hart Steinmann in the race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX-8). Steinmann previously served as director of the Office of Victims of Crime in the U.S. Department of Justice during Trump’s first presidential term.
Trump said of Steinmann, “As a former appointee in my First Term, and now, as a Highly Respected Attorney, Jessica continues to prove that she has the Wisdom and Courage necessary to uphold our Constitution, and ensure LAW AND ORDER.”
Shortly after issuing the new endorsements, Trump reiterated several prior Texas endorsements, including those for Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock).
