Former Baseball All-star Mark Teixeira Elected to Congress in Texas

WHO:

ESPN - Republican Mark Teixeira, a three-time Major League Baseball All-Star and former Texas Rangers and New York Yankees slugger, won the U.S. House seat for Texas’ 21st Congressional District.

ESPN - Teixeira defeated Democrat Kristin Hook, a former federal scientist who worked for the National Institutes of Health and the Government Accountability Office.

ESPN - The seat was held by Republican Rep. Chip Roy, who chose not to seek reelection.

Daily Mail Sports - Teixeira was endorsed by Trump.

NY Post - The Republican congressional baseball team gained Teixeira, described as a cleanup hitter.

WHAT:

Fox News - The Associated Press reported that Teixeira received 54.52% of the vote and Kristin Hook received 45.48%, with 99% of votes counted.

Fox News - Teixeira said: “Tonight’s victory belongs to the people of Texas’s 21st District. I’m not going to Washington for myself, but rather to be a strong, responsive voice for every family in this district.”

Fox News - Teixeira said he was grateful to voters across the district who placed their trust in him, adding: “Nobody will work harder to continue earning that trust.”

Fox News - Teixeira hit 409 home runs in his 14-year MLB career and could play in the Congressional Baseball Game.

ESPN - Teixeira won the Republican congressional primary with more than 61% of the vote.

ESPN - Teixeira said: “Together, we can build a better future for our families, our neighbors, and every community across Texas 21. I'm excited to get to work. I will be praying for all of you and for the future of this great nation. God bless Texas, and God bless America.”

ESPN - Teixeira pledged to work with President Trump to secure the border and end “radical woke indoctrination.”

Daily Mail Sports - Teixeira spent $2.5 million of his own money on his campaign.

ESPN - His baseball career included three All-Star Game appearances, five Gold Gloves, three Silver Sluggers, and a World Series title with the Yankees.

ESPN - Teixeira was the No. 5 pick in the 2001 MLB draft and played 14 seasons.

ESPN - Michele Tafoya, a Republican and former NFL sideline reporter, lost Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race to Democrat Peggy Flanagan.

ESPN - Republican Tommy Tuberville won Alabama’s gubernatorial race, defeating Democrat Doug Jones. Tuberville had previously defeated Jones for his U.S. Senate seat.

WHERE:

ESPN - Texas’ 21st Congressional District covers a deeply conservative area west of Austin and San Antonio.

ESPN - Teixeira began his baseball career with the Texas Rangers and won a World Series with the New York Yankees.

WHY:

ESPN - Roy’s decision not to seek reelection left the 21st District seat open.

ESPN - Texas Republicans approved a redistricting map intended to favor the GOP in the 2026 election.

HOW:

ESPN - Teixeira announced his congressional bid after Republicans in the state legislature approved the redistricting map.

ESPN - Teixeira and his family moved back to Texas after he retired from baseball.

Former baseball All-Star Mark Teixeira won Texas’s 21st Congressional District for Republicans. Teixeira defeated Democrat Kristin Hook, replacing Republican Chip Roy, who did not seek reelection. Trump endorsed Teixeira, who pledged to work with him on border security.