Mark Teixeira wins Texas 21st Congressional District seat

Former Major League Baseball star Mark Teixeira has won the election for Texas’ 21st Congressional District, securing a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Running as a Republican, the 46-year-old former New York Yankees first baseman defeated Democratic challenger Kristin Hook, a biological scientist and former National Institutes of Health policy adviser.

Teixeira received approximately 54 to 55 percent of the vote, according to various reports, including the Associated Press. He succeeds Republican Representative Chip Roy, who did not seek re-election after an unsuccessful bid for Texas attorney general. The district, which includes areas near Austin and San Antonio, has been held by Republicans since 1979.

Teixeira, a three-time All-Star with 409 career home runs, campaigned on conservative platforms including border security and economic growth. He received endorsements from President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott. In a statement, Teixeira expressed his commitment to being a responsive voice for the families in his district.