Former FEC chair will enter open House race in Texas

Former Federal Election Commission (FEC) chairman James “Trey” Trainor, III will announce his candidacy for Texas’ 21st congressional district next week, the Daily Caller News Foundation has learned.

Texas’ 21st congressional district is currently being represented by Republican Rep. Chip Roy, who announced in August that he will not seek reelection and instead run to replace Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for U.S. Senate.

“Texans deserve a proven conservative who will fight for their values, secure our border, rein in wasteful spending, and defend our freedoms,” Trainor said in a statement provided to the DCNF. “I’m ready to bring my experience from Austin and Washington to Congress and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with President [Donald] Trump to put America First.”

Trainor told the Washington Examiner on Sept. 25 that he would step down from his role as FEC vice chairman effective Oct. 3, adding that he was “seriously evaluating” running for the open House seat in Texas.

Trainor, who is a Texas native, was nominated to the FEC by Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in May 2020. The following month, Trainor was elected as FEC chairman for the remainder of that year, according to a news release.

He also served as acting chairman of the FEC from February to July of this year, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Boarding my last flight to DC as a sitting @FEC Commissioner. Fitting that it’s aboard @SouthwestAir’s best-looking plane — the Lone Star One. 🇺🇸✈️ #Texas pic.twitter.com/GKO5GL8fNZ

— Trey Trainor (@TXElectionLaw) September 30, 2025

Trainor previously served as General Counsel to the Platform Committee at the 2016 Republican National Convention, according to his LinkedIn profile. He is also a graduate of Texas A&M University and Texas A&M University School of Law.

World Series champion Mark “Tex” Teixeira announced in late August that he was running to represent Texas’ 21st congressional district. Moreover, Bexar County GOP Vice Chair Kyle Sinclair is considering launching a bid for the House seat being vacated by Roy, the Texas Tribune reported on Aug. 22.

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