Former Major League Baseball All-Star Mark Teixeira, who played for the New York Yankees the last time they won the World Series in 2009, announced Thursday that he’s running for a House seat in Texas and is echoing President Donald Trump’s agenda in his campaign launch.
“As a proud Texan and lifelong conservative who loves our country, I’m ready to fight for the principles that make Texas strong and America exceptional,” Teixeira said in a statement announcing his bid for Texas’ 21st Congressional District.
He added, “It takes teamwork to win, and I’m ready to help defend President Trump’s America First agenda, Texas families, and individual liberty.”
Teixeira, 45, is running for the seat held by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, who recently announced plans to run for Texas attorney general. The 21st Congressional District covers the area north of San Antonio.
“Congressman Chip Roy has represented this district with unwavering courage and leaves an impressive legacy of principled conservative leadership,” Teixeira said in his statement. “I’m running to ensure District 21 remains prosperous and free for generations to come.”
Teixeira’s name recognition in New York and his general high profile as a professional athlete will likely benefit him with fundraising.
Teixeira, a former first baseman, played 14 seasons for four Major League teams, the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels and, most recently, the Yankees. He retired after the 2016 season.
He and his wife eventually moved back to Texas in 2021, where he said they’ve raised their children, pursued business opportunities and supported education and Christian ministries.
He’s not the only baseball player, or member of the 2009 Yankees World Series team, to join Trump’s clubhouse. Mariano Rivera, the Hall of Fame closer who won five championship rings with the Yankees, endorsed Trump. The president also awarded Rivera with a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Johnny Damon, another former All-Star who played on that 2009 World Series team, is also a supporter of the president’s. In 2020, Trump nominated both Rivera and Damon to join the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.
The seat Teixeira is running for is considered very safe for Republicans. Roy easily won re-election last year by 26% of the vote.
Republicans face a tough road ahead in next year’s midterm elections as they try to hold onto their slim majority in the House. Democrats are only three seats short of retaking control.
The state Legislature just approved new district lines that could net the party up to five seats in the state’s congressional delegation. Some opponents of those lines have sued and asked a court to block their implementation, but that likely won’t have a significant effect on Teixeira’s bid, as Roy is vacating his seat to run for statewide office regardless.
