Mark Teixeira

Mark Teixeira is the Republican nominee for Texas's open 21st District in Central Texas. A former Major League Baseball first baseman who won a World Series with the New York Yankees in 2009, he moved back to Texas in 2021. He won the 12-candidate Republican primary on March 3, 2026, and campaigns on border security, cutting federal spending and energy production.[1][2][3][4]

Teixeira grew up in Severna Park, Maryland, and attended Mount Saint Joseph High School, according to The Baltimore Banner. His campaign website says his father was a Navy veteran and his mother a schoolteacher.[2][3] He attended the Georgia Institute of Technology on a scholarship and received a bachelor's degree in business administration, and he met his wife, Leigh, there, according to his campaign website.[1][2] The Texas Rangers drafted him fifth overall in the 2001 MLB draft after his junior season.[2][3]

Teixeira played 14 Major League seasons for the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees, earning three All-Star selections, five Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers, and he won the World Series with the Yankees in 2009.[1][2][3] According to his campaign website, he received the 2018 Heisman Humanitarian Award, was a two-time finalist for the Roberto Clemente Award, and has served on boards supporting youth sports and college scholarships. FOX 7 Austin lists him as a member of the board of directors of DREAM.[2][4]

After retiring from baseball, Teixeira moved his family back to Texas in 2021, according to The Baltimore Banner.[2][3] He announced his run for the seat after Rep. Chip Roy said he would run for Texas attorney general instead of seeking re-election, and he won the 12-candidate Republican primary on March 3, 2026, with 60.9% of the vote.[1][3][5] According to his campaign website, he and Leigh have three children and are active in their local church.[2]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.