Former Major League Baseball All-Star Mark Teixeira won the election for the United States House of Representatives seat in Texas' 21st district on Tuesday. Teixeira, the Republican candidate, defeated Democrat Kristin Hook, a former federal scientist. He will succeed Republican Chip Roy, who did not seek re-election.
"Together, we can build a better future for our families, our neighbors, and every community across Texas 21," Teixeira said in a statement. "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."
The victory was a rare Republican win in Texas on Tuesday, as Democrat Gina Hinojosa won the gubernatorial race and Democrat James Talarico flipped a Senate seat.
Teixeira, 46, was born and raised in Maryland before attending Georgia Tech. He was selected fifth overall in the 2001 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers and spent the first four and a half seasons of his career with the club. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2007, then to the Los Angeles Angels in 2008 before signing a long-term free agent deal with the New York Yankees prior to the 2009 season. He finished his career with the Yankees.
In parts of 14 seasons, Teixeira hit .268/.360/.509 (126 OPS+) with 409 home runs, 1,298 RBI, five Gold Gloves, three All-Star selections, three Silver Slugger awards, and a World Series championship.
Other sports figures on the ballot included former college football coach Tommy Tuberville, who won the Alabama gubernatorial race, and former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya, who lost the Minnesota Senate race.
