Trump Backs Baseball Star Teixeira: Texas MAGA Showdown Begins!

Paul Riverbank, 2/6/2026Baseball star Mark Teixeira, backed by Trump, shakes up Texas politics in a high-stakes GOP race.

His leap into the race for Texas' 21st Congressional District came as Rep. Chip Roy set his own sights on the state attorney general’s office, leaving the seat open for new contenders. Teixeira, never one to ease timidly into a challenge, wasted little time. The campaign was barely off the ground before he landed what many in GOP circles still consider a golden ticket: an endorsement from Donald Trump.

It unfolded just as you might expect if you’ve followed presidential pronouncements since 2016. Trump, through a typically effusive statement on Truth Social, cast Teixeira as a “TOTAL WINNER” — a phrase that somehow manages to sound both personal and performative. For the former president, Teixeira’s time on the diamond wasn’t just athletic accomplishment; it was a testament to character. “Five Gold Gloves, three Silver Sluggers, and a World Series Championship,” Trump tallied off, almost as though reading aloud from the back of a 2010 Topps trading card.

The endorsement was vintage Trump: declarations about family values, nods to the trappings of Americana, and a roll call of up-for-grabs policy priorities. In Trump’s words, Teixeira is expected to “Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE,” and, of course, defend the Second Amendment. Big promises, briskly delivered.

Teixeira, in response, kept it concise. Hours after the endorsement, he posted a thank-you aimed directly at the former president. He’d had, he said, an “excellent conversation” with Trump and looked forward to working for “America’s safety and prosperity.” The message wasn’t heavy on detail, but it carried the tone of someone who understands the value of momentum — and of letting the headline do some of the work.

But Teixeira’s support extends well beyond the top of the ticket. His camp has rolled out an eye-popping 85 endorsements, including politicos like Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, and Troy Nehls, plus a handful of figures outside the usual GOP pipeline — Riley Gaines, a collegiate swimmer who’s made news in her own right, among them.

It’s easy to assume, based on recent cycles, that a Trump endorsement in a Texas GOP primary is nearly as valuable as a campaign war chest. Trump’s batting average among endorsed House hopefuls remains high — only a handful fell short in the 2024 cycle. GOP strategists like to point out that kind of record, especially when base turnout and loyalty are part of the equation.

Teixeira’s campaign, to this point, has been heavy on conservative red meat: promises to fight “radical woke indoctrination,” pledges to focus on border security, and repeated references to safeguarding “individual liberty.” He has leaned on his athletic résumé as evidence of determination, teamwork, and the ability to perform in the clutch — qualities, admittedly, that often earn a different type of roar from a political crowd than from the bleachers.

Looking ahead, the timeline is tight. The Republican primary is scheduled for March 3, 2026, with the possibility of a runoff in late May. His marquee surname, once stamped on jerseys and trading cards, could soon dot campaign yard signs all the way from the Hill Country to the edge of San Antonio.

For Texas Republicans — and for Teixeira himself — this race is a test of whether athletic celebrity, amplified by a Trumpian boost and a quick-developing coalition, can outpace more traditional sources of political capital. It doesn’t always happen that way in politics. But, for now, Teixeira stands at the plate in a very different field, ready to take his swing.

The Texas political landscape, normally home to career politicians and familiar insiders, has welcomed an unexpected face: Mark Teixeira, the celebrated first baseman whose career highlights once echoed in sold-out stadiums. Teixeira, remembered not just for his steady bat but also for five Gold Gloves and a World Series ring, now finds himself at the heart of a different kind of contest.His leap into the race for Texas' 21st Congressional District came as Rep. Chip Roy set his own sights on the state attorney general’s office, leaving the seat open for new contenders. Teixeira, never one to ease timidly into a challenge, wasted little time. The campaign was barely off the ground before he landed what many in GOP circles still consider a golden ticket: an endorsement from Donald Trump.It unfolded just as you might expect if you’ve followed presidential pronouncements since 2016. Trump, through a typically effusive statement on Truth Social, cast Teixeira as a “TOTAL WINNER” — a phrase that somehow manages to sound both personal and performative. For the former president, Teixeira’s time on the diamond wasn’t just athletic accomplishment; it was a testament to character. “Five Gold Gloves, three Silver Sluggers, and a World Series Championship,” Trump tallied off, almost as though reading aloud from the back of a 2010 Topps trading card.The endorsement was vintage Trump: declarations about family values, nods to the trappings of Americana, and a roll call of up-for-grabs policy priorities. In Trump’s words, Teixeira is expected to “Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE,” and, of course, defend the Second Amendment. Big promises, briskly delivered.Teixeira, in response, kept it concise. Hours after the endorsement, he posted a thank-you aimed directly at the former president. He’d had, he said, an “excellent conversation” with Trump and looked forward to working for “America’s safety and prosperity.” The message wasn’t heavy on detail, but it carried the tone of someone who understands the value of momentum — and of letting the headline do some of the work.But Teixeira’s support extends well beyond the top of the ticket. His camp has rolled out an eye-popping 85 endorsements, including politicos like Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, and Troy Nehls, plus a handful of figures outside the usual GOP pipeline — Riley Gaines, a collegiate swimmer who’s made news in her own right, among them.It’s easy to assume, based on recent cycles, that a Trump endorsement in a Texas GOP primary is nearly as valuable as a campaign war chest. Trump’s batting average among endorsed House hopefuls remains high — only a handful fell short in the 2024 cycle. GOP strategists like to point out that kind of record, especially when base turnout and loyalty are part of the equation.Teixeira’s campaign, to this point, has been heavy on conservative red meat: promises to fight “radical woke indoctrination,” pledges to focus on border security, and repeated references to safeguarding “individual liberty.” He has leaned on his athletic résumé as evidence of determination, teamwork, and the ability to perform in the clutch — qualities, admittedly, that often earn a different type of roar from a political crowd than from the bleachers.Looking ahead, the timeline is tight. The Republican primary is scheduled for March 3, 2026, with the possibility of a runoff in late May. His marquee surname, once stamped on jerseys and trading cards, could soon dot campaign yard signs all the way from the Hill Country to the edge of San Antonio.For Texas Republicans — and for Teixeira himself — this race is a test of whether athletic celebrity, amplified by a Trumpian boost and a quick-developing coalition, can outpace more traditional sources of political capital. It doesn’t always happen that way in politics. But, for now, Teixeira stands at the plate in a very different field, ready to take his swing.