Former Texas Rangers slugger Mark Teixeira has announced his bid for Congress in Texas’ 21st District, making his first foray into politics after a storied baseball career.
The 45-year-old Maryland native, who now lives in the Austin area, disclosed in a press release that he is running for the open seat in the 21st District, which spans a swath of Central Texas between Austin and San Antonio and includes Kerrville and Fredericksburg. The race opened up after U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican, said he would not seek re-election in order to run for Texas attorney general.
Teixeira framed his campaign as a defense of conservative principles and the America First agenda. In his statement, he said he’s “ready to fight for Texas families, conservative principles and the America First agenda,” adding that “it takes teamwork to win, and I’m ready to help defend President Trump’s America First agenda, Texas families, and individual liberty.” His message was echoed in a post that included the line, “Big news: I’m ready to go!”
Teixeira has deep Texas ties despite spending much of his MLB career away from the state. He played the bulk of his career for the Rangers after being their first-round draft pick in 2001, making his major league debut in 2003. Over his first four seasons in Texas, he slugged 140 home runs and drove in 450 runs, cementing his status as a key contributor for the club early in his career.
The trade that ultimately helped shape Texas’ future in the following years remains a notable part of his Rangers chapter: at the 2007 deadline, Teixeira was dealt to the Atlanta Braves for Elvis Andrus, Neftalí Feliz, Matt Harrison and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Of those players, Andrus went on to become a longtime fixture at shortstop for the Rangers and helped fuel the team’s run to the World Series in 2010.
Commentary and context:
– Teixeira’s move into politics highlights a shift from professional sports to public service, leveraging name recognition and a Texas-rooted narrative to connect with voters.
– The 21st District’s mix of communities from Austin’s tech and cultural hub to the Hill Country’s more conservative rural areas could shape the campaign’s focus, aligning with Teixeira’s stated priorities.
– As the campaign unfolds, fundraising and endorsements will be telling indicators of how a former athlete with strong local ties positions himself in a district known for its political diversity.
Summary:
Mark Teixeira is launching a congressional bid in Texas’ 21st District, leveraging his Texas roots and conservative messaging to appeal to voters in a district that includes both urban and rural communities. The race is set to unfold as Roy moves toward a bid for attorney general, leaving an open seat for Teixeira to contest.
Potential note for readers:
– The campaign is in its early stages; voters should watch for policy platforms on Texas family support, economic growth, and national security priorities, as well as how Teixeira translates his sports leadership experience into legislative priorities.