Mark Teixeira Wins U.S. House Seat in Texas Midterms
Former Major League Baseball player Mark Teixeira won election to the U.S. House in Texas’ 21st Congressional District during Tuesday’s midterm elections. The Republican nominee and former New York Yankees slugger defeated Democrat Kristin Hook, a former federal scientist who worked for the National Institutes of Health and the Government Accountability Office.
On Wednesday morning, vote counts showed Teixeira leading with 54.5 percent of the vote after 99 percent of ballots had been counted. He ran for the seat previously held by Republican Rep. Chip Roy, who did not seek reelection after launching an unsuccessful bid for attorney general, KSAT reported.
Conservative Stronghold in the Texas Hill Country
The 21st Congressional District covers a deeply conservative area stretching from the northern edges of San Antonio and Austin suburbs into the Texas Hill Country, including Kendall, Kerr, Bandera, Blanco, Real, and Gillespie counties. The district has remained in Republican hands since 1979.
Thank you to my family, friends, campaign staff, and the countless supporters who stood with us during this campaign. We could not have won this race without every person who knocked on doors, worked the polls, hosted events, and pitched in to help the cause. I am truly grateful… pic.twitter.com/64fcE7z3DJ
Teixeira secured endorsements during his campaign from President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott. During his primary bid in March, Teixeira captured more than 61 percent of the vote. In his campaign announcements, he pledged to work with President Donald Trump to secure the border, eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and end what he termed radical woke indoctrination.
From the Baseball Diamond to Washington Politics
Born and raised in Maryland, Teixeira attended Georgia Tech before the Texas Rangers selected him as the fifth overall pick in the 2001 MLB draft. He played his major league debut seasons with Texas from 2003 to 2007, earning five Gold Gloves, three Silver Sluggers, and three All-Star selections across a 14-year career that included stints with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels.
He won a World Series title with the New York Yankees in 2009 before retiring from professional baseball in 2016. Teixeira and his family moved back to Texas in 2021.
Midterm Results for Other Sports Figures
Meanwhile, former college football coach Tommy Tuberville secured victory in the Alabama gubernatorial race, defeating Democrat Doug Jones. Tuberville previously unseated Jones in a 2020 U.S. Senate election and chose not to seek a second term in Washington before launching his successful bid for governor.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Texas 21st District Election
Who did Mark Teixeira defeat in the general election?
Teixeira defeated Democrat Kristin Hook, a former federal scientist with the National Institutes of Health and the Government Accountability Office.
Which counties are included in Texas’ 21st Congressional District?
The district spans portions of northern San Antonio, Austin suburbs, and Hill Country counties including Kendall, Kerr, Bandera, Blanco, Real, and Gillespie, alongside parts of Hays and Comal counties.
Who held the congressional seat before Teixeira?
Republican Representative Chip Roy held the seat for eight years before deciding against reelection to pursue an attorney general campaign.
What major league teams did Teixeira play for?
Teixeira played for the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels, and New York Yankees during his 14-season MLB career.