Former Major League Baseball star Mark Teixeira announced Thursday that he’s running for the Republican nomination for a House seat in Texas.
The former Texas Rangers and New York Yankees first baseman and three-time MLB All-Star announced his campaign for Texas’ 21st Congressional District in the U.S. House on Wednesday.
Teixeira released an official statement on social media, saying he’s “ready to help defend President Trump’s America First agenda, Texas families, and individual liberty.”
Big news: I’m ready to go!
As a lifelong conservative who loves this country, I’m running for Congress to fight for the principles that make Texas and America great.
It takes teamwork to win – I’m ready to help defend President Trump’s America First agenda, Texas families,… pic.twitter.com/bVb6j9qP6i
— Mark Teixeira (@teixeiramark25) August 28, 2025
“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,” the statement read.
“It takes teamwork to win, and I’m ready to help defend President Trump’s America First agenda, Texas families, and individual liberty.”
Teixeira launched his campaign after top Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy announced last week that he will not seek reelection to his heavily Republican seat in Congress.
Roy said he is running to replace Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for U.S. Senate.
Roy, who currently represents the district, made the announcement in a campaign video shared to X last week. His video centered on preserving the Lone Star State’s legacy of “liberty, freedom and self-determination.”
“Texas has a long and proud tradition of rising to defend our homes, our freedom, and our communities,” he wrote in an accompanying message.
“I’m running for Attorney General to carry on that legacy… unafraid to fight, unafraid to win, and unafraid to defend Texas at every turn. #LiveFree.”
In an effort to gain favor with Roy voters, Teixeira praised Roy for representing the district “with unwavering courage.”
“I’m running to ensure District 21 remains prosperous and free for generations to come,” he added.
The Texas race is set for November 2026, with a primary scheduled for March.
Teixeira, 45, played 14 seasons in the majors.
He debuted with the Texas Rangers in 2003 and went on to play for the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels, and most notably the New York Yankees.
Known as one of the best hitters in the game during his career, Teixeira was a three-time Silver Slugger Award winner and finished his career with a .269 batting average and 409 home runs.
He was a five-time Gold Glove winner and was a member of the Yankees’ 2009 World Series championship team.