New York Yankees legend Mark Teixeira provided one of the few positive results for the Republicans on a brutal night in the midterms as he won election to the U.S. House in Texas’ 21st Congressional District.
Teixeira, a 2009 World Series winner with the Yankees, poured $2.5 million of his own MLB fortune into his bid to replace Chip Roy in Congress.
The Texas Tribune reported in February he had raised more cash than any other candidate after loaning millions to his campaign and pulling in an extra $545,000 from donors before earning the endorsements of Donald Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott to be the Republican candidate.
And on a night that saw Abbott taken down by Democrat Gina Hinojosa in a stunning result, Teixeira at least earned his spot to replace Roy by beating Democratic candidate Kristin Hook.
Teixeira was always favorite to win the Republican stronghold, which has been held by Rep. Roy since 2019 before he chose not to seek a fifth term in order to try and become Texas Attorney General.
And despite the ‘blue tsunami’ which saw Abbott lose his position as Governor and Ken Paxton concede defeat to James Talarico in the Texas U.S. Senate race, projections for Teixeira’s victory proved correct.
Mark Teixeira has been elected to the U.S. House in Texas’ 21st Congressional District
Teixeira was a 2009 World Series winner with the Yankees, where he was a franchise legend
He wrote on social media: ‘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 to all of you. And of course, I want to thank all of the voters across the district who placed their trust in me. Nobody will work harder to continue earning that trust.
‘Tonight’s victory belongs to the people of Texas’s 21st District. I’m not going to Washington for myself, but rather to be a strong, responsive voice for every family in this district.
‘Together, we can build a better future for our families, our neighbors, and every community across Texas 21. I’m excited to get to work. I will be praying for all of you and for the future of this great nation. God bless Texas, and God bless America.’
His victory follows a high-profile endorsement from President Trump earlier in the year, as he branded the Yankees legend as a ‘TOTAL WINNER, on and off the field!’
‘I know Mark well, and he is a TOTAL WINNER, on and off the field! An MLB All-Star, Mark’s career was ‘loaded up’ with Accolades and WINS, including five Gold Gloves, three Silver Sluggers, and a World Series Championship,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social in February.
Teixeira’s campaign has not been without controversy, as the former athlete has frequently made headlines for his uncompromising stance on law enforcement.
Earlier this year, he sparked a national debate by declaring he ‘stands with ICE’ following a fatal shooting involving a federal agent during an operation in Minneapolis.
Teixeira was endorsed by Donald Trump in his campaign to be the Republican representative
Teixeira started his Major League Baseball career in Texas, playing for the Rangers
The incident involved the death of Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three who was shot by an agent after allegedly attempting to drive her vehicle toward officers.
And he publicly condemned a ‘Pride Night’ hosted by the San Francisco Giants earlier this season, accusing Major League Baseball of trying to ‘silence’ Christian athletes after those who protested by writing bible verses on their hats received a warning.
He told Fox News on June 30: ‘I played in the major leagues for 14 years. We play 162 games a year, we don’t have these conversations.
‘We don’t take political stances. It’s a hard job playing baseball and bringing something like a pride night and forcing players to wear a cap. Whether that was the rule or not, that’s what it looked like.’
Before entering the political arena, Teixeira established himself as one of the premier switch-hitters in the history of the game across a storied 14-season career.
He burst onto the scene with the Texas Rangers in 2003, quickly becoming a fan favorite by hitting over 150 home runs during his five seasons in Arlington.
However, it was his move to the Yankees in 2009 that cemented his legacy, as he led the American League in home runs while guiding them to a World Series title.
Teixeira retired with five Gold Glove Awards and three Silver Sluggers, finishing his career with 409 home runs and a reputation as one of the most consistent power hitters of his generation.
