Texas 9th District
This is a newly drawn district, so nobody holds the seat. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.DiscussLeticia Gutierrez
Democrat · environmental advocate, first-time candidate
FLiberty Score F47 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Gutierrez has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Gutierrez.
Raised $215,053 since January 2025: 100% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Alex Mealer
Republican · army veteran, former oil and gas banker, small business owner
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Mealer has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Mealer.
Raised $2,782,240 since January 2025: 71% from people, 17% from PACs and other committees, 12% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Alex Mealer. Alex Mealer: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Leticia Gutierrez: F, 47 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in Texas: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Leticia Gutierrez, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Gutierrez, so the grade above comes from this list: what Gutierrez has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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She calls Israel an important partner and says friendship is not a blank check, with no condition on weapons named.
“But friendship should never mean a blank check.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No aid or weapons condition is named, so the words do not settle the measure.
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She says America should stand with allies but not police the world, naming no country.
“America should defend itself, stand with allies, and confront genuine threats, but we cannot police the world or stumble into endless wars.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No country or treaty is named, so the words do not settle the measure.
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She calls Israel an important U.S. partner in her written answer.
“Israel is an important U.S. partner in a strategically vital region”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Treating Israel as a partner follows the ally side of the measure.
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She says those who have benefited most from the economy can reasonably contribute more in taxes.
“Those who have benefited most from our economy can reasonably contribute more”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Higher taxes on the wealthy are against liberty on free markets.
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She says she supports clear standards for each setting on sports and shared spaces without naming a rule.
“I support clear standards tailored to each setting, grounded in evidence, constitutional rights, and the real circumstances involved.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No rule on who may compete is named, so the words do not settle the measure.
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She says separation of church and state means government favors no religion and imposes no doctrine in schools or laws.
“It means government respects every religion, favors none, and does not impose religious doctrine in our public schools or laws.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
No religious doctrine in law or schools is with liberty on conscience.
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She says she would create an earned path for long-term residents to stay.
“create an earned path for long-term residents who work, pay taxes, and obey the law.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A path to legal status for those here is against liberty on borders.
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Her written answer on sanctuary cities says local police should not be used as federal immigration agents.
“Local police should keep our neighborhoods safe, not be used as federal immigration agents.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Opposing local police enforcing federal immigration law follows the sanctuary-policy side of the measure.
Alex Mealer, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Mealer, so the grade above comes from this list: what Mealer has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
Mealer said she fully supports the current US military action against Iran.
“I support fully our current actions and understand the need for that immediate strike”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing American action against the regime in Tehran is the with side of this measure.
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Mealer says she will fight to cut taxes and unnecessary regulations.
“I will fight to cut taxes and unnecessary regulations, create good-paying jobs, and lower the cost of living so families can keep more of what they earn and businesses can thrive.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Less regulation is the with side of this measure.
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Mealer says she will protect girls' sports and keep biological men out of women's locker rooms.
“In Congress, I will fight to protect girls' sports and keep biological men out of women's locker rooms.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping women's sport female is the with side of this measure.
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Mealer says she will enforce immigration laws and restore law and order at the border.
“In Congress, I will fight to restore law and order at the border, enforce our immigration laws, and ensure law enforcement have the federal resources they need to protect Texas families.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border and enforcing the law is the with side of this measure.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
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Discussion
Texas 9th District
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