Mark Teixeira Wins Texas 21st Congressional District Race

Former Major League Baseball player Mark Teixeira has won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in the Texas 21st Congressional District, keeping the central Texas seat in Republican hands following the November 3, 2026 midterm elections. Running as a Republican, Teixeira defeated Democratic candidate Kristin Hook in the contest to succeed outgoing Republican Representative Chip Roy.

The Associated Press called the race for Teixeira, an outcome reported by ESPN. Tabulations highlighted by Field Level Media showed Teixeira establishing a decisive lead of more than 54 percent of the vote once approximately 95 percent of ballots were counted across the district.

Results and Ballot Tabulation in Texas’ 21st District

The race for the open congressional seat drew regional and national attention throughout the 2026 campaign cycle. Texas’ 21st Congressional District covers a significant swath of central Texas, including portions of both Austin and San Antonio. The vacancy was created when Representative Chip Roy decided not to retain the seat, setting up a competitive general election contest between Teixeira and Hook.

Returns on election night demonstrated steady support for Teixeira as counting advanced toward the 95 percent threshold. Although final certified totals and overall voter turnout statistics were not immediately finalized at the time the race was called, the tabulated margin proved insurmountable for Hook. Early reports did not include a concession statement or post-election remarks from the Democratic nominee.

Following the race call, Teixeira posted a victory message on social media. Writing on Twitter, the newly elected congressman stated that the win belonged to the residents of the 21st District. He added that his motivation for heading to Capitol Hill was not personal ambition, but a commitment to serve as an attentive and reliable advocate for local families.

Endorsements and the Statewide Midterm Landscape

Teixeira’s campaign benefited from high-level backing within the Republican Party. His congressional bid earned formal endorsements from both President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, providing him with substantial visibility among conservative voters across the district.

The victory unfolded against a shifting political backdrop across Texas on midterm night. In the statewide gubernatorial election held concurrently on November 3, Governor Greg Abbott was defeated in his re-election bid by Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa, according to media reports cited by Field Level Media.

Despite the split outcome at the top of the statewide ballot, Teixeira held together the Republican coalition within the 21st District. His performance across the suburban and urban counties stretching between Austin and San Antonio insulated his campaign from broader Democratic gains at the gubernatorial level.

Teixeira’s Path from Major League Baseball to the House

Teixeira, 46, enters federal office following an athletic career spanning more than a decade at the highest level of professional sports. Born and raised in Maryland, he played collegiate baseball at Georgia Tech before turning professional.

In 2001, the Texas Rangers selected Teixeira in the first round as the fifth overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft. That selection began an extensive career in the majors, during which he played for the Rangers, the Atlanta Braves, the Los Angeles Angels, and the New York Yankees.

By the time he retired from baseball, Teixeira had appeared in 1,862 major league games, recording 409 home runs and driving in 1,298 runs. His transition to national politics concludes with his midterm victory on November 3, 2026, which formally sends him to Washington as the next representative for Texas’ 21st Congressional District.