Former FEC Chair to Run for Texas Congressional Seat

James “Tray” Trainor III, the former chair of the Federal Election Commission (FEC), is set to announce his candidacy for Texas’s 21st Congressional District next week.

This district is currently represented by Republican Rep. Chip Roy, who stated in August that he will not seek reelection. Instead, he plans to run for Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton, who is pursuing a Senate seat.

In a recent statement to the media, Trainor expressed, “Texans deserve proven conservatives who fight for their values, protect their borders, keep their government spending in check, and safeguard their freedoms. I bring my experience from Austin and Washington to Congress and I’m ready to work alongside President Trump to prioritize America.” It’s a bold declaration, but perhaps he’s underselling the complexity of the political landscape.

Trainor had previously mentioned, on September 25, his resignation from his FEC role, which took effect on October 3, noting that he’s seriously considering the opportunity in Texas’s open congressional seat. He was appointed to the FEC by Trump in May 2020 and later became its chair for the remaining months of that year.

Additionally, he served as the acting chairman of the FEC earlier this year, showcasing his experiences in various leadership roles.

In the meantime, the race is heating up. Mark “Tex” Teixeira, a World Series champion, recently announced his intentions to run for the same congressional seat. Kyle Sinclair, the Vice-Chair of the Bexar County GOP, is also contemplating a bid as multiple candidates emerge for the position that Roy is vacating.