Former Yankees All-Star Mark Teixeira is running for Congress in Texas as a Republican, he announced on Thursday.
“It takes teamwork to win — I’m ready to help defend President Trump’s America First agenda, Texas families and individual liberty,” Teixeira wrote on social media. “As a lifelong conservative who loves this country, I’m running for Congress to fight for the principles that make Texas and America great.”
Teixeira is running to represent Texas’ 21st District, a seat that will be vacated by Republican Chip Roy because he’s running for Texas attorney general. The district was heavily Republican in 2024 and will remain that way following Texas’ recent redistricting.
However, the 2009 World Series champion is expected to face several challengers in the Republican primary. Daniel Betts, who ran to be district attorney in Austin last year, also recently announced his candidacy.
Though Teixeira is a political newcomer, he’s likely to enjoy a name recognition advantage in the district. Before joining the Yankees in 2009, he played for the Texas Rangers from 2003-2007.
In his statement, Teixeira “pledged to work with President Trump to secure the border, grow the economy, end radical woke indoctrination, promote American energy independence, defend life and [defend] the Second Amendment.”
In eight years with the Yankees from 2009-2016, Teixeira hit .248 with 206 home runs. He was the AL MVP runner-up during the 2009 World Series season, the Yankees’ most recent title.
