Alex Mealer

Alexandra Mealer (née del Moral; born October 1984) is a small business owner, former oil & gas investment banker, U.S. Army combat veteran, and politician. A member of the Republican Party, she was the party's nominee for Harris County Judge in 2022, losing narrowly to incumbent Lina Hidalgo. She later served on the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) Board from 2024 to 2025 as Public Safety Chair and was named Victory Chair of the Republican Party of Texas in 2023 before resigning in 2024 to serve on the METRO Board. As of 2026, she is the Republican nominee for the U.S. House in Texas's 9th congressional district.

Early life and education Mealer was born in Sacramento, California, in October 1984. She grew up in Gold River, California. She attended Rio Americano High School in Sacramento, where she was accepted to West Point.

Inspired by the September 11 attacks, Mealer enrolled at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where she played on the women's rugby team. She graduated in 2007. She later earned a Juris Doctor (JD) from Harvard Law School and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Harvard Business School, both completed in 2016.

Military service Mealer served in the United States Army from May 2007 to 2012 as a captain, specializing in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (bomb squad). She deployed to Afghanistan during the surge, leading soldiers in combat and defusing explosives.

Career After completing her military service, Mealer attended Harvard where she received a joint JD/MBA. After graduate school she moved to Houston, Texas and entered finance.

Political career Mealer ran as the Republican nominee for Harris County Judge in 2022, securing the nomination in a crowded primary. She lost to Democratic nominee Lina Hidalgo by 51% to 49% .

Personal life Mealer is married to Clay Mealer (also a West Point graduate), and they have two children. They have been married over 17 years. Mealer's paternal grandfather was Armando del Moral.