A retired Major League Baseball slugger is headed to Capitol Hill. Republican Mark Teixeira won Texas' 21st Congressional District over Democrat Kristin Hook, taking the seat being vacated by Rep. Chip Roy after Election Day. Decision Desk HQ projected Teixeira the winner by 7 percentage points with 86% of votes counted as of 11:06 p.m. EST on Tuesday.
The projection, reported by The Hill, came as Americans across the country headed to the polls in midterm elections that would help determine control of the House and Senate for the remainder of President Donald Trump's second term. Teixeira is projected to succeed Roy, who opted against seeking reelection in the district and instead ran for Texas attorney general — a race he lost in the spring Republican primary to state Sen. Mayes Middleton, according to The Hill.
A Former World Series Champion Turns Candidate
Before he was a congressional candidate, Teixeira built a long career as a first baseman, playing for the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and New York Yankees, where he won a World Series in 2009, per The Hill's reporting. He carried that name recognition into a crowded Republican primary field in March, winning with more than 61% of the vote, according to the San Antonio Report.
Money followed. Teixeira raised more than $4 million for his campaign and loaned it an additional $2.5 million of his own funds, while Hook raised $388,265.29, the outlet reported. Despite that financial advantage and the celebrity profile, the newspaper's report notes Teixeira ran a low-visibility campaign, holding few public events and skipping a debate with his opponent altogether.
A Safe Seat Even in a Tough Night for the GOP
The outcome was never much in doubt by most handicapping. Cook Political Report had rated the district solid Republican since February 2025, and the same account from the station notes Decision Desk HQ's estimate of Teixeira's chances had sat above 90% consistently since early June. Teixeira also picked up endorsements from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Trump ahead of the vote, per The Hill.
Still, the broader electoral picture looked rough for Republicans. The San Antonio Report described the night as a blue wave and said Teixeira was the only member of his party from the San Antonio-area congressional delegation to win his race. As reported by WTOP, citing The Associated Press, the win keeps the seat in Republican hands despite the national headwinds.
Teixeira Thanks Supporters After the Win
Teixeira's victory statement said, “Tonight’s victory belongs to the people of District 21,” and that he would be a strong, responsive voice.
As a candidate, Teixeira spoke with members of the Republican congressional baseball team ahead of their game against Democrats at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., in June — a fitting tie-in for a former pro ballplayer about to trade the diamond for the House floor.
