1 of 2 | Mark Teixeira attends the Wheels Up Super Saturday Tailgate on February 2, 2019, in Atlanta. The former MLB first baseman announced plans to run for the U.S. House on Thursday. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 28 (UPI) — Former Major League Baseball player Mark Teixeira announced Thursday he plans to run for an open U.S. House seat representing a district in Texas encompassing parts of Austin and San Antonio.
Teixeira, who played first base for 14 seasons in the MLB, made the announcement on a post on X. He is running as a Republican for the 21st District seat left vacant by U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, who plans to run for Texas attorney general.
In the post, Teixeira offered his support to President Donald Trump‘s policies on the border, economy, energy independence, abortion, gun rights, military and ending “radical woke indoctrination.”
“As a proud Texan and lifelong conservative who loves our country, I’m ready to fight for the principles that make Texas strong and America exceptional,” Teixeira said in the announcement.
“It takes teamwork to win, and I’m ready to help defend President Trump’s America First agenda, Texas families and individual liberty.”
The Texas Rangers drafted Teixeira fifth overall in 2001. He played for the Arlington-based team for four seasons before moving on to the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels. He spent the greatest part of his career with the New York Yankees, playing seven seasons with the team before retiring in 2016.
Teixeira was a three-time All-Star, won the World Series once with the Yankees, and won five Gold Glove Awards and three Silver Slugger Awards during his MLB career.
“Playing for the Texas Rangers and raising my family in the Lone Star State has been one of the greatest blessings of my life,” he said. “Now I’m ready to answer the call to serve my country, my state and the conservative principles that have made Texas the envy of the nation.”