Paul Rojas
Paul Rojas (Republican Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 21st Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the Republican primary scheduled on March 3, 2026.[source]
Rojas completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
2026 battleground election
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.
Thirteen candidates are running in the Republican primary for Texas' 21st Congressional District on March 3, 2026. The filing deadline is December 8, 2025. Two candidates lead in media attention and endorsements: Mark Teixeira (R) and Trey Trainor (R).
Incumbent Chip Roy (R) is running 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 The Texas Tribune’s Marijke Friedman, "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."[1] 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 is a former professional baseball player and World Series champion.[2][3] Teixeira says he would support the military, end American involvement in long-term conflicts, and prioritize American interests to "champion President Trump’s America First agenda."[4] Teixeira says he would support law enforcement and border security to promote local and national safety.[4] He says he would cut federal spending and promote Texas’ oil, gas, and nuclear industries to improve the economy.[4] Teixeira also says he would "restore patriotic education rooted in American and Texas values."[4] U.S. Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Steve Scalise (R-La.) endorsed Teixeira.[5]
Trainor is a lawyer who previously worked as general counsel for the Texas Secretary of State and the Republican Party of Texas.[6] He also served as a commissioner on the Federal Election Commission (FEC) from 2020 to 2025.[7] Trainor says his legislative priorities would be improving border security, reducing federal spending, and upholding Constitutional rights.[6] Trainor is campaigning on his legal experience, saying he has "been on the front lines defending the Constitution" throughout his career.[6] He is also campaigning on his experience on the FEC, saying he has a history of promoting election security.[6] Highlighting Trump appointing him to the FEC, Trainor says he supports Trump’s policies and describes himself as a "soldier of the conservative cause and the America First agenda."[6] Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian (R) and former chair of the Republican Party of Texas Cathie Adams (R) endorsed Trainor.[8]
Also running in the primary are Daniel Betts (R), Jason Cahill (R), Jacques DuBose (R), Ezekiel Enriquez (R), Denis Goulet (R), Weston Martinez (R), Matt Okerson (R), Paul Rojas (R), Kyle Sinclair (R), Heather Tessmer (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
General election
The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.
General election for U.S. House Texas District 21
Dan McQueen is running in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 21 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Dan McQueen (Independent) | |
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 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 21
Javi Andrade, Gary Taylor, Regina Vanburg, and Daniel Weber are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 21 on March 3, 2026.
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| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 21
The following candidates are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 21 on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Daniel Betts | |
| Jason Cahill | ||
| Jacques DuBose | ||
 | Ezekiel Enriquez | |
| Denis Goulet | ||
 | Weston Martinez | |
 | Matt Okerson | |
 | Paul Rojas | |
 | Kyle Sinclair | |
 | Mark Teixeira | |
 | Heather Tessmer | |
 | Trey Trainor | |
 | Mike Wheeler | |
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| = 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
- Jessica Karlsruher (R)
- Chip Roy (R)
Polls
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
We provide results for polls that are included in polling aggregation from RealClearPolitics, when available. We will regularly check for polling aggregation for this race and add polls here once available. To notify us of polls available for this race, please email us.
Election campaign finance
Candidate spending
| Name | Party | Receipts* | Disbursements** | Cash on hand | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Betts | Republican Party | $111,868 | $6,879 | $104,989 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Jason Cahill | Republican Party | $283,283 | $1,337 | $281,946 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Jacques DuBose | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Ezekiel Enriquez | Republican Party | $50,150 | $44,963 | $815 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Denis Goulet | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Weston Martinez | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Matt Okerson | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Paul Rojas | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Kyle Sinclair | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Mark Teixeira | Republican Party | $713,852 | $17,470 | $696,382 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Heather Tessmer | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Trey Trainor | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Mike Wheeler | Republican Party | $202,126 | $609 | $201,516 | As of September 30, 2025 |
|
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." |
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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.[9][10][11]
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 |
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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
Paul Rojas completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Rojas' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I grew up watching how hard-working people get left behind while insiders in Washington look out for each other. Through my company, Alamo Brass, I’ve seen how red tape, bad trade deals, and unchecked bureaucracy crush local businesses. I’ve also worked in technology with companies like Microsoft and Cisco — so I know how innovation can lift communities when government gets out of the way.
I’m running because Texas deserves leaders who understand real work, real families, and real accountability — not polished talking points or political dynasties.- Washington is broken because too many politicians treat it like a career, not a calling. I’ll fight to impose term limits, end insider trading, and hold Congress to the same standards as every working American. Public service should be temporary, a duty to your country, not a lifelong paycheck.
- We need to rebuild the American middle class not just with slogans, but with action. As a business owner and engineer, I’ll stand up for small businesses, rebuild domestic manufacturing, and make it easier for families to own a home, raise kids, and build a future without government standing in their way.
- Texas is powering America’s future from energy to AI but our communities shouldn’t pay the price for corporate greed. I’ll fight to make sure data centers and AI companies invest in local jobs, not just drain our water and power. Innovation should strengthen our grid, create real careers, and protect the natural resources that make Texas home. Technology should serve people not to replace them.
I care about how technology and energy shape our future. I’ve worked in both fields, and I’ve seen how decisions about AI, data centers, and automation can help or hurt real communities. Innovation should create jobs here in Texas, not drive up our power bills or use up our resources while giving nothing back.
In public life, I respect leaders like Ron Paul, who stood on principle, spoke plainly, and put country above party. He was never afraid to challenge the system or tell the truth when it was unpopular.
The best leaders listen more than they talk and never forget what it is like to earn a paycheck, pay a mortgage, or run a small business. Public service is not about building a career, it is about doing what is right and stepping aside when the job is done.
A member of Congress should protect the Constitution, defend American jobs, and make sure our government works for working people again. They should know when to say no to wasteful spending and when to stand up to their own party if it means doing what is right for their community.
If I can help restore faith in government and show that regular people can still step up and make a difference, that would mean more than any title or headline.
Those moments taught me early that leadership and restraint matter, and that government must always be accountable to the people it serves.
That job taught me how to problem solve under pressure, how to explain complicated things in plain English, and how to earn someone’s trust by doing the work right. It also opened the door to a career in technology, where I later worked with companies like Microsoft and Cisco. Looking back, that first job shaped how I lead today by staying hands-on, solving problems directly, and treating people with respect.
The book reminds me that success and failure both reveal a person’s character. In politics, as in life, you find out who people really are when the pressure hits. Into Thin Air taught me that leadership is about staying calm in the storm, owning your decisions, and never leaving your team behind.
Geralt reminds me that strength without integrity is dangerous, and that sometimes leadership means standing alone. He is loyal, disciplined, and guided by a deep sense of duty. Those are the same qualities I try to live by in my own life and in how I would serve the people I represent.
There were times when I was working two jobs just to keep things moving forward. But those struggles taught me what it means to sacrifice, to keep going when it would be easier to quit, and to take pride in earning every bit of progress. It shaped how I lead today with patience, grit, and respect for anyone trying to make a living and do things the right way.
The House gives every community a seat at the table, from small towns to big cities. It is meant to be loud, messy, and full of debate because that is how democracy works. The founders wanted the House to be the part of government that never forgets who it serves.
I believe Congress needs fewer career politicians and more people who have signed paychecks, built businesses, and worked real jobs. Government should look more like the country it serves. The best experience a representative can have is living under the same rules and challenges as everyone else.
We also face a cultural challenge. Families are struggling, young people are losing hope, and too many Americans feel disconnected from their government and each other. We need to restore faith, community, and purpose in this country.
The short term also helps prevent politicians from getting too comfortable or disconnected from real life. It was designed to keep the House responsive, not insulated. I support two-year terms as long as we also pass term limits to make sure new voices and fresh ideas keep coming to Washington.
When people stay in power for decades, they stop listening to the voters and start listening to the lobbyists. Term limits would bring in fresh voices, new ideas, and leaders who still remember what it feels like to earn a paycheck and live under the laws they pass.
I want to follow that example to be honest, independent, and grounded in principle. My goal is not to fit in with the political class but to represent the people who sent me there. I believe in serving with integrity, voting with conscience, and leaving the office better than I found it.
That conversation hit home because I have lived it too. I have seen how hardworking Texans are punished for trying to build something. It reminded me why I am running to make sure people like him are not forgotten, and that the next generation still believes it is worth working hard and building in America.
If both sides walk away a little uncomfortable but the country is better off, that is a fair deal. But if compromise means raising taxes, weakening the border, or selling out working families, then it is not worth it.
We should not raise another cent in taxes until we stop the corruption, end insider deals, and balance the budget. The power to raise revenue should never be used to punish working families or reward special interests. It should be used to keep government honest and accountable to the people who pay the bills.
Investigations should focus on truth and transparency, not headlines. The goal is to expose waste, corruption, and abuse of power wherever it happens, no matter which party is involved. The House must never forget that it works for the American people, and its duty is to protect their trust, their tax dollars, and their freedom.
What struck me most was that she still had hope. She just wanted leaders who understood what it feels like to struggle and who would fight for people like her instead of corporate donors and party insiders. Her story reminded me why I am running because people who work hard should be able to build a life, not just survive one.
Being part of that effort reminded me what American ingenuity can accomplish when science and purpose come together. It taught me that progress requires courage, teamwork, and vision the same qualities we need to solve the challenges we face here at home.
Washington’s job is to set clear rules that protect privacy, jobs, and national security while still allowing innovation to grow. We cannot let a handful of corporations or foreign countries control the future of technology.
I would support legislation that ensures every legal vote is counted and every election is secure, transparent, and accountable. That starts with strong voter identification, clean voter rolls, and paper ballot backups that can be audited after every election.
I would also push for national standards that require open reporting of election data and consistent security practices across all states. Elections should be run by local officials, not partisan bureaucrats, and the process should be simple enough for every voter to understand and trust.
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.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
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Candidate U.S. House Texas District 21 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ The Texas Tribune, "Former MLB player Mark Teixeira announces run for 21st Congressional District," August 28, 2025
- ↑ ESPN, "Mark Teixeira biography," accessed October 26, 2025
- ↑ Mark Teixeira 2026 campaign website, "Home," accessed October 26, 2025
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Mark Teixeira 2026 campaign website, "Issues," accessed October 26, 2025
- ↑ Mark Teixeira 2026 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed October 26, 2025
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Trey Trainor 2026 campaign website, "About Trey," accessed October 26, 2025
- ↑ The Texas Tribune, "Texas GOP lawyer and former FEC chair Trey Trainor announces run for Chip Roy’s seat in Congress," October 6, 2025
- ↑ Trey Trainor 2026 campaign website, "Home," accessed October 26, 2025
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," December 12, 2021
