Trump Picks a Winner: MLB Star Teixeira Shakes Up Texas Race!

Paul Riverbank, 2/6/2026MLB great Mark Teixeira enters Texas politics, bolstered by Trump’s endorsement and star power.

It’s the sort of campaign that was already drawing attention, yet it was Donald Trump’s unmistakable voice that truly jolted the race. This week, the former president did exactly what he’s done in races from coast to coast: he delivered his endorsement, and the ensuing noise was impossible to ignore. By the time Teixeira’s name streamed across Truth Social, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a sleepy primary. “Mark Teixeira is a former Major League Baseball STAR,” Trump boomed online, all caps and exclamation points fully in play. “An MLB All-Star, Mark’s career was ‘loaded up’ with Accolades and WINS... and he is a TOTAL WINNER, on and off the field!”

That sort of personal pitch is Trump’s go-to: appeal to achievements, highlight family, hit the biggest conservative themes. In this case, it’s a script familiar to any Texan who’s watched the GOP primary playbook in recent cycles. “Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy,” Trump promised on Teixeira’s behalf, weaving together a platform well-tuned to his followers’ ears.

Teixeira himself responded quickly—thanking Trump, promising hard work, vowing to “keep America safe and prosperous.” His post on X (once Twitter, but old habits die hard) struck a grateful tone, if a little rehearsed.

Of course, it’s impossible to ignore the significance of Trump’s nod these days. Over the last few election cycles, his endorsements have more often boosted candidates through crowded fields—especially in places like Texas, where Republican primaries are, practically speaking, the main event. Not everyone wins; a handful of Trump-backed candidates have fallen short, but those are the exceptions.

Teixeira, to his credit, isn’t pretending to be something he’s not. He’s not a veteran of tense committee hearings or wonky floor debates. Instead, he brings up his 14 big-league seasons, his World Series ring, those Gold Gloves. The traits that earned him a spot in the Yankees lineup—resilience, discipline, a knack for showing up when it matters—are now part of his stump speech. Whether voters will see those as transferable skills remains to be seen.

Chip Roy’s decision to chase the attorney general’s office means the seat is wide open—rare, and enticing for first-timers and party insiders alike. Teixeira has moved fast since announcing in August. If his campaign signs haven’t yet blanketed backroads from Dripping Springs to Boerne, they will soon.

The list of backers keeps getting longer: Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, Craig Goldman, Riley Gaines—more names than you could squeeze onto a campaign flier. In Texas, it’s not unusual for famous outsiders to parlay sports glory into political capital. But the size of the field and the unpredictable undercurrents of Hill Country politics add a measure of suspense. Not every career highlight reel translates at the ballot box.

For now, Teixeira’s running on an unambiguous platform: stiff border enforcement, defense of gun rights, “fighting woke indoctrination”—and, of course, touting the backing of Trump himself. The contest’s timeline is tight, with the primary looming in early March. Should no one claim a majority, a May runoff will settle the matter, foreshadowing another round of block walks and late-night strategy sessions.

It’s too soon to predict how the rookie will fare. But with Trump in his corner and a roster of loyalists joining the cause, Mark Teixeira is about to find out if star power—and a resounding endorsement—can deliver another win, this time far from the ballpark lights.

It’s been years since Mark Teixeira last trotted onto a baseball field in uniform, but now his name is making its way onto a different stage—one dotted with campaign signs across the Texas Hill Country. Teixeira, a World Series champion and, for much of his career, a reliable power hitter, has entered the fray for Texas’ 21st Congressional District. On paper, he’s a rookie. In Texas, though, celebrity often counts for as much as political experience.It’s the sort of campaign that was already drawing attention, yet it was Donald Trump’s unmistakable voice that truly jolted the race. This week, the former president did exactly what he’s done in races from coast to coast: he delivered his endorsement, and the ensuing noise was impossible to ignore. By the time Teixeira’s name streamed across Truth Social, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a sleepy primary. “Mark Teixeira is a former Major League Baseball STAR,” Trump boomed online, all caps and exclamation points fully in play. “An MLB All-Star, Mark’s career was ‘loaded up’ with Accolades and WINS... and he is a TOTAL WINNER, on and off the field!”That sort of personal pitch is Trump’s go-to: appeal to achievements, highlight family, hit the biggest conservative themes. In this case, it’s a script familiar to any Texan who’s watched the GOP primary playbook in recent cycles. “Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy,” Trump promised on Teixeira’s behalf, weaving together a platform well-tuned to his followers’ ears.Teixeira himself responded quickly—thanking Trump, promising hard work, vowing to “keep America safe and prosperous.” His post on X (once Twitter, but old habits die hard) struck a grateful tone, if a little rehearsed.Of course, it’s impossible to ignore the significance of Trump’s nod these days. Over the last few election cycles, his endorsements have more often boosted candidates through crowded fields—especially in places like Texas, where Republican primaries are, practically speaking, the main event. Not everyone wins; a handful of Trump-backed candidates have fallen short, but those are the exceptions.Teixeira, to his credit, isn’t pretending to be something he’s not. He’s not a veteran of tense committee hearings or wonky floor debates. Instead, he brings up his 14 big-league seasons, his World Series ring, those Gold Gloves. The traits that earned him a spot in the Yankees lineup—resilience, discipline, a knack for showing up when it matters—are now part of his stump speech. Whether voters will see those as transferable skills remains to be seen.Chip Roy’s decision to chase the attorney general’s office means the seat is wide open—rare, and enticing for first-timers and party insiders alike. Teixeira has moved fast since announcing in August. If his campaign signs haven’t yet blanketed backroads from Dripping Springs to Boerne, they will soon.The list of backers keeps getting longer: Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, Craig Goldman, Riley Gaines—more names than you could squeeze onto a campaign flier. In Texas, it’s not unusual for famous outsiders to parlay sports glory into political capital. But the size of the field and the unpredictable undercurrents of Hill Country politics add a measure of suspense. Not every career highlight reel translates at the ballot box.For now, Teixeira’s running on an unambiguous platform: stiff border enforcement, defense of gun rights, “fighting woke indoctrination”—and, of course, touting the backing of Trump himself. The contest’s timeline is tight, with the primary looming in early March. Should no one claim a majority, a May runoff will settle the matter, foreshadowing another round of block walks and late-night strategy sessions.It’s too soon to predict how the rookie will fare. But with Trump in his corner and a roster of loyalists joining the cause, Mark Teixeira is about to find out if star power—and a resounding endorsement—can deliver another win, this time far from the ballpark lights.