By Marijke Friedman, The Texas Tribune

Former Major League Baseball player Mark Teixeira launched his campaign for Texas’ 21st Congressional District on Thursday, becoming one of the first Republicans to declare for the Central Texas district since the incumbent, Rep. Chip Roy, announced he would give up the seat to run for attorney general.

Teixeira, a former power-hitting first baseman for the Texas Rangers, filed paperwork to run for the district Thursday morning and later announced his bid on social media.

“As a lifelong conservative who loves this country, I’m ready to fight for the principles that make Texas strong and America exceptional,” Teixeira said in a statement. “It takes teamwork to win, and I’m ready to help defend President Trump’s America First agenda, Texas families,

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