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Matt Okerson

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This candidate participated in a 2026 battleground election. Click here to read more about that election.
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This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Matt Okerson
Republican Party
Elections and appointments
Last election
March 3, 2026
Military
Service / branch
U.S. Army
Personal
Profession
Defense contractor
Contact
Campaign website
Campaign X

Matt Okerson (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 21st Congressional District. He did not appear on the ballot for the Republican primary on March 3, 2026.

Okerson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Matt Okerson's career experience includes working as a defense contractor. He served in the U.S. Army.[1]

2026 battleground election

See also: Texas' 21st Congressional District election, 2026 (March 3 Republican primary)

Ballotpedia identified the March 3, 2026, Republican primary for Texas' 21st Congressional District as a battleground election. The summary below is from our coverage of this election, found here.

Mark Teixeira (R) defeated Jason Cahill (R), Trey Trainor (R) and nine other candidates in the Republican primary for Texas' 21st Congressional District on March 3, 2026. Teixeira and Trainor led in media attention and endorsements.

Incumbent Chip Roy (R) ran in the Republican primary for Texas Attorney General in 2026. For a list of U.S. Representatives who are not running for re-election in 2026, click here. The last time this district was open was 2018, when Roy was first elected.

According to Marijke Friedman of The Texas Tribune, "Both Roy and [President Donald] Trump won handily in the 21st District in 2024, and the seat remained solidly Republican under the new congressional map approved by the Texas Legislature."[2] As of October 2025, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, Inside Elections with Nathan Gonzales, and Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball each rated the general election Safe/Solid Republican.

Teixeira was a former professional baseball player and World Series champion at the time of the election.[3][4] Teixeira said he would support the military, end American involvement in long-term conflicts, and prioritize American interests to "champion President Trump’s America First agenda."[5] Teixeira said he would support law enforcement and border security to promote local and national safety.[5] He said he would cut federal spending and promote Texas’ oil, gas, and nuclear industries to improve the economy.[5] Teixeira also said he would "restore patriotic education rooted in American and Texas values."[5] Trump, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), and U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) endorsed Teixeira.[6]

At the time of the election, Trainor was a lawyer who previously worked as general counsel for the Texas Secretary of State and the Republican Party of Texas.[7] He also served as a commissioner on the Federal Election Commission (FEC) from 2020 to 2025.[8] Trainor said his legislative priorities would be improving border security, reducing federal spending, and upholding Constitutional rights.[7] Trainor campaigned on his legal experience, saying he had "been on the front lines defending the Constitution" throughout his career.[7] He also campaigned on his experience on the FEC, saying he had a history of promoting election security.[7] Highlighting Trump appointing him to the FEC, Trainor said he supported Trump’s policies and described himself as a "soldier of the conservative cause and the America First agenda."[7] Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian (R) and former chair of the Republican Party of Texas Cathie Adams (R) endorsed Trainor.[9]

Also running in the primary were Daniel Betts (R), Cahill, Jacques DuBose (R), Ezekiel Enriquez (R), Denis Goulet (R), Weston Martinez (R), Matt Okerson (R), Paul Rojas (R), Heather Tessmer (R), Peggy Wardlaw (R), and Mike Wheeler (R).

Texas conducted redistricting between the 2024 and 2026 elections. As a result, district lines in this state changed. To review how redistricting took place in Texas, click here. For a list of all states that drew new district lines between 2024 and 2026, click here.

Elections

2026

See also: Texas' 21st Congressional District election, 2026

Texas' 21st Congressional District election, 2026 (March 3 Republican primary)

Texas' 21st Congressional District election, 2026 (March 3 Democratic primary)

General election

The candidate list in this election may not be complete.

General election for U.S. House Texas District 21

Kristin Hook, Mark Teixeira, and Dan McQueen are running in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 21 on November 3, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Kristin Hook
Kristin Hook (D) Candidate Connection
Image of Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira (R)
Image of Dan McQueen
Dan McQueen (Independent)

There are no incumbents in this race.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 21

Kristin Hook defeated Regina Vanburg and Gary Taylor in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 21 on March 3, 2026.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Kristin Hook
Kristin Hook Candidate Connection
 
60.4
 
35,413
Image of Regina Vanburg
Regina Vanburg Candidate Connection
 
27.7
 
16,261
Image of Gary Taylor
Gary Taylor
 
11.9
 
6,963

There were no incumbents in this race. Source

Total votes: 58,637
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 21

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 21 on March 3, 2026.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira
 
62.6
 
52,280
Image of Jason Cahill
Jason Cahill Candidate Connection
 
9.9
 
8,245
Image of Trey Trainor
Trey Trainor Candidate Connection
 
8.3
 
6,976
Image of Mike Wheeler
Mike Wheeler Candidate Connection
 
7.0
 
5,888
Image of Weston Martinez
Weston Martinez
 
2.1
 
1,758
Image of Daniel Betts
Daniel Betts Candidate Connection
 
1.9
 
1,550
Image of Kyle Sinclair
Kyle Sinclair (Unofficially withdrew) Candidate Connection
 
1.7
 
1,394
Image of Peggy Wardlaw
Peggy Wardlaw
 
1.6
 
1,373
Image of Heather Tessmer
Heather Tessmer
 
1.5
 
1,244
Image of Paul Rojas
Paul Rojas Candidate Connection
 
1.4
 
1,179
Image of Ezekiel Enriquez
Ezekiel Enriquez Candidate Connection
 
1.3
 
1,088
Image of Jacques DuBose
Jacques DuBose
 
0.7
 
571

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. Source

Total votes: 83,546
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Polls

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls

We provide results for polls from a wide variety of sources, including media outlets, social media, campaigns, and aggregation websites, when available. No polls were available for this election. To notify us of polls published in this election, please email us.

Election campaign finance

Candidate spending

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Daniel Betts Republican Party $170,920 $84,775 $86,145 As of February 11, 2026
Jason Cahill Republican Party $348,702 $291,977 $56,725 As of February 11, 2026
Jacques DuBose Republican Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Ezekiel Enriquez Republican Party $104,653 $100,595 $-314 As of February 11, 2026
Weston Martinez Republican Party $19,907 $14,126 $5,780 As of February 11, 2026
Paul Rojas Republican Party $165,026 $8,165 $156,862 As of February 11, 2026
Kyle Sinclair Republican Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Mark Teixeira Republican Party $3,466,723 $2,459,293 $1,007,430 As of February 11, 2026
Heather Tessmer Republican Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Trey Trainor Republican Party $139,666 $63,349 $76,317 As of February 11, 2026
Peggy Wardlaw Republican Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Mike Wheeler Republican Party $345,601 $262,247 $83,354 As of February 11, 2026

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.
*** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.


Satellite spending

See also: Satellite spending

Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[10][11][12]

If available, this section includes links to online resources tracking satellite spending in this election. To notify us of a resource to add, email us.

By candidate By election

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Matt Okerson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Okerson's responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

Raised in a working-class family, Matthew wasn’t born into privilege — he was built by faith, grit, and hard work. From a young age, he learned that nothing is given, everything is earned. His family faced tough times, but through the grace of God and the strength of their local church, they always had what they needed. Those early struggles didn’t hold him back — they forged his values: self-reliance, service over self, and an unshakable commitment to putting people first.
  • Texas First. America Always.

    Powered by the People.

    No insiders and no political games — just real, accountable representation that puts the people first.
  • Smaller Government. Greater Freedom. Washington has grown too big, too powerful, and too detached from the people it claims to represent.
  • Term Limits & True Accountability Congress wasn't meant to be a career path — it was meant to be public service.
America First, America Always. Protect Our Families. Defend Our Future. Smaller Government. Greater Freedom. Term Limits & True Accountability. Grounded in the Grassroots. Rebuild the American Middle Class.
Integrity – You say what you mean and mean what you say. You’re not for sale and won’t play the D.C. insider games.

Service-Driven – A U.S. Army veteran who understands duty, accountability, and leadership.

Principled Conservative – Grounded in faith, family, and freedom — not political trends.

Decisive and Realistic – You value common sense over bureaucracy, results over rhetoric.

People-Focused – Every decision starts with one question: “How does this help the people I serve?”
To represent the people of your district — not lobbyists, not special interests — and to advance legislation that improves their lives.
The legacy I want to leave is one of fighting for the working-class American and improving the lives of the majority of our citizens. I want to reconnect Congress to its true purpose — representing the people, not the political elite, wealth, or special interests. I aim to be a champion and a voice for everyday Americans, proving that elected representatives must stay connected to the people they serve.
I was in fifth grade when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. I’ll never forget seeing U.S. Abrams tanks advancing to liberate the Kuwaitis. The Gulf War was the first war I remember, and it left a lasting impression on me about the importance of freedom and defending what’s right.
My first job was at Bob Evans, where I worked as a dishwasher and busboy for a little over a year. I also did construction work, often holding two jobs during the summer. Those early experiences taught me the value of hard work, responsibility, and determination — lessons that continue to guide me today.
Members are directly elected, serve short two-year terms, represent specific districts, and hold exclusive powers like initiating revenue bills and impeachments. It’s crucial for members to stay connected to the people they represent, not the institution, so decisions reflect the needs and values of their constituents rather than political insiders.
Prior experience in Washington isn’t always necessary — in fact, having no political background can be a strength. Someone who hasn’t been part of the established system is free from insider influence, lobbyist pressure, and entrenched bureaucracy. This allows them to make decisions based on what’s best for the people, not what keeps them in office or connected to the political machine. Fresh perspectives can drive real change, accountability, and results.
We’re facing record debt and a government that’s lost focus on putting the working class first. But one of the biggest threats we’re not talking enough about is the unchecked rise of artificial intelligence and technology.

AI will change everything — from our jobs to our privacy to our national security. If we don’t lead with responsibility and protect American workers and innovation, we risk handing our future to corporations and foreign powers that don’t share our values.

The next 10 years will define whether we remain strong, free, and independent — or whether technology controls us instead of serving us. We must choose strength, accountability, and leadership that puts people before machines and America before global interests.
Yes. The two-year term is designed to keep Representatives accountable. Because they face voters frequently, they must stay closely connected to their districts, listen to constituents’ concerns, and act in their best interest. It prevents complacency, limits careerism, and ensures that public service remains focused on serving the people, not the institution.
I strongly support term limits for members of Congress. Too many politicians treat Washington like a career, not a duty. That’s why I’m making a personal commitment: I will serve no more than four terms — eight years — in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Public service should be about results, not re-election. I’ll fight for term limits because our nation deserves fresh leadership, new energy, and representatives who never forget who they work for the people
Yes! Compromise isn’t weakness — it’s leadership. I’ll work with anybody who loves our country and respects our Constitution, Republican or Democrat. Lasting legislation comes from bipartisan solutions, not political games
Fiscal responsibility is non-negotiable. For every dollar of new spending, two dollars must be cut elsewhere. Our priority is reducing the national debt and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, not wasted on unnecessary programs.
The U.S. House should fully use its investigative powers to hold everyone accountable. Our priority is not politics or personal attacks — it’s exposing wrongdoing and stopping corruption wherever it exists, so the government serves the people, not itself.
I’m most proud of my service to our country first as a U.S. Army soldier, and then continuing as a contractor in Southeast Asia, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait, where I helped protect U.S. personnel at the Baghdad Embassy. I’m also proud of my work safeguarding critical infrastructure and medical health information for U.S. soldiers as a cybersecurity expert. Beyond that, I’ve dedicated time to community service, including participating in elections and attending county and state Republican conventions.
Artificial intelligence must be regulated and held in check. It’s the government’s responsibility to set boundaries and safeguards to protect our most vulnerable, including our children, and to defend our national interests against misuse or foreign threats.
I believe elections belong to the states, and the federal government should not control them. At the same time, the government can provide simple guidelines to help protect the integrity of our elections.

Trust in the way we elect our officials is essential to preserving our democracy. While the primary responsibility lies with state legislatures, the federal government has a role in offering guidance to ensure secure, fair, and transparent elections.

Under no circumstances should non-U.S. citizens be allowed to vote!

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Matt Okerson campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2026* U.S. House Texas District 21Withdrew primary$0 N/A**
Grand total$0 N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Election Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

See also

2026 Elections

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External links

Candidate

U.S. House Texas District 21
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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 23, 2025
    2. ↑ The Texas Tribune, "Former MLB player Mark Teixeira announces run for 21st Congressional District," August 28, 2025
    3. ↑ ESPN, "Mark Teixeira biography," accessed October 26, 2025
    4. ↑ Mark Teixeira 2026 campaign website, "Home," accessed October 26, 2025
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Mark Teixeira 2026 campaign website, "Issues," accessed October 26, 2025
    6. ↑ Mark Teixeira 2026 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed October 26, 2025
    7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Trey Trainor 2026 campaign website, "About Trey," accessed October 26, 2025
    8. ↑ The Texas Tribune, "Texas GOP lawyer and former FEC chair Trey Trainor announces run for Chip Roy’s seat in Congress," October 6, 2025
    9. ↑ Trey Trainor 2026 campaign website, "Home," accessed October 26, 2025
    10. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
    11. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
    12. ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," December 12, 2021


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