Former New York Yankees slugger and World Series champion Mark Teixeira announced his campaign for U.S. Congress on Thursday.
Teixeira, 45, will run as a Republican for a House seat in Texas’ 21st Congressional District in the 2026 election, he announced in a post to X. His campaign announcement comes days after Rep. Chip Roy said he will not seek reelection and will instead run for Texas Attorney General.
“As a proud Texan and a 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. “It takes teamwork to win, and I’m ready to help defend President Trump’s America First agenda, Texas families, and individual liberty.”
Teixeira, a Maryland native, played college baseball at Georgia Tech before being drafted by the Texas Rangers with the fifth overall pick in the 2001 MLB Draft. He played 14 seasons in MLB from 2003-16 for the Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels and Yankees.
The switch-hitting first baseman helped lead the Yankees to win the World Series in 2009, his first season with the team after signing a $180 million, eight-year contract with New York in December 2008.
Teixeira was one of the most accomplished players of his generation, earning five Gold Glove awards, three All-Star selections and three Silver Slugger awards in 14 MLB seasons. He finished his career with a .268 batting average, 409 home runs, 1,298 RBI and .869 OPS in 1,862 games played.
“In Congress, he’ll bring the same grit, preparation, and competitive spirit that made him a champion in Major League Baseball to fight for Texas—and win,” reads Teixeira’s campaign website.
“Mark Teixeira’s bid for congress comes as no surprise as the former big league slugger was a popular figure during his 14-year career in Major League Baseball,” said Joe Noga, Cleveland Guardians reporter for cleveland.com / The Plain Dealer. “He was a favorite among teammates and a competitor who was well respected by his opponents. In leading the Yankees to the 2009 World Series title, he cemented his legacy in the game. Although he never received enough voting consideration by baseball writers to remain on the Hall of Fame ballot beyond his debut in 2022, Teixeira was a feared hitter who clubbed more than 400 home runs and retired with a .509 slugging percentage. Off the field he was active in the community and a man of faith, which should help his cause in Texas’ current political climate.”
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