Who's In the Race

Democrat Kristin Hook won her party's primary for Texas's 21st Congressional District, and Republican Mark Teixeira won the Republican primary, with the general election set for Nov. 3. Rep. Chip Roy is not seeking reelection and is running for Texas attorney general, leaving the Texas 21st District seat open. Texas also redrew its congressional district boundaries in August 2025, and after a legal battle the Supreme Court intervened allowing voters to use the new map in November. ​

Hook earned a Ph.D. in Animal Behavior from Cornell University and completed postdoctoral research in reproductive biology at the University of Maryland. She taught middle-school science through Teach For America and later worked at the National Institutes of Health, the Government Accountability Office, and in Sen. Elizabeth Warren's office on science and technology policy. She won the Democratic primary with about 60 percent of the vote over Regina Vanburg. Teixeira is a former professional baseball first baseman who played 14 Major League Baseball seasons, including five with the Texas Rangers, earned three All-Star selections, and won a World Series with the New York Yankees in 2009. He won the Republican primary; a vote share was not reported in the race record.

What They Stand For

Hook has proposed making billionaires "pay their fair share" and lowering costs for families, according to her campaign website. She has also supported:

  • Improving access to health care for all,
  • her abortion position, which her campaign titles "Restoring Our Freedoms,"
  • Investing in public schools; and
  • Ensuring dignity and security in immigration policy.

Teixeira has proposed fully securing the southern border, deporting undocumented immigrants, and fighting drug cartels, according to his campaign website. He has also supported:

  • Expanding the Department of Government Efficiency to cut what he calls wasteful federal spending,
  • Growing Texas oil, gas, and nuclear energy to restore U.S. energy dominance and reduce family costs,
  • Protecting the right to keep and bear arms from government infringement; and
  • Lowering health care costs, expanding patient choice, and limiting federal control over health care decisions.

The Money Behind the Race

Federal Election Commission filings show Teixeira raised about $3.9 million through June 30 and had about $382,000 in the bank. His campaign carried about $2.75 million in debt. Hook raised about $244,000 through June 30 and had about $104,000 in the bank, according to FEC filings.

Outside groups spent $986,205 supporting Republicans in the race as of Oct. 12, with no money opposing any candidate. The largest outside spender was Conservatives for American Excellence Inc., with about $633,000 in support spending, followed by Club for Growth Action at about $260,000.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Republican as of Oct. 9. Sabato's Crystal Ball also rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 11. Inside Elections rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 2.

Kalshi traders gave Republicans, whose nominee is Teixeira, a 94.38 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 12; Democrats, whose nominee is Hook, stood at 5.62 percent.

The district has backed Republicans by wide margins in recent cycles: Chip Roy won with about 63 percent in 2022 and about 62 percent in 2024. Statewide, Republicans won 25 of Texas's 38 U.S. House seats in both 2022 and 2024, with Democrats winning the remaining 13. In the 2024 presidential race, Republican Donald J. Trump carried Texas with about 56 percent of the vote.

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