Former Amarillo City Council member Mark Nair has entered the race for Congress, formally announcing his campaign for Texas’s 13th Congressional District. The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson of Amarillo.
Nair, a Democrat, launched his campaign Tuesday at Crush Wine Bar and Grill in Downtown Amarillo. He told supporters his run would focus on practical solutions for working families, framing his experience in local government, business, and education as preparation for higher office.
“As a former City Council member for Amarillo, Nair focused on bringing the discussion and challenges facing the city centerstage, specifically the disenfranchisement of the north and eastern parts of the city,” his campaign said in a statement.
Nair served on the Amarillo City Council from 2015 to 2017. During his tenure, he often emphasized economic development, urban revitalization, and better representation for underserved communities. His campaign is expected to stress similar themes as he seeks to expand his political reach beyond city limits to one of the largest congressional districts in the nation.
A Background in Technology and Innovation
Beyond politics, Nair has built a wide-ranging career as an inventor, entrepreneur, and educator. He has worked with both startups and global corporations in the technology sector, including Nokia, Walmart, Philips Electronics, Quanta Computers, and Apple.
Nair co-founded several companies, among them Giant Atom Inc., Bicycle Guy Studios, MusicGram, and Oasis Microgrids. As president of Redigi, Inc., he helped develop what is described as the world’s first used digital marketplace. His resume also highlights early innovations in streaming and mobile technology. He produced one of the internet’s largest live streaming events for pop group 98 Degrees, collaborated with musician Thomas Dolby on early ringtone design, and worked on digital smartphone content for Nokia’s prototype devices.
Currently, Nair serves as CEO of Voxa Global, a technology consulting firm.
An Educator and Local Leader
Alongside his business career, Nair has taught economics and software development at Amarillo College, where he received the Faculty Excellence Award in 2020. He also taught computer coding at Ascension Academy.
He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas A&M University, in political science and English respectively, and studied law at the University of Texas School of Law.
A Challenging Political Landscape
Nair’s entry into the race marks the first declared Democratic challenge to Rep. Jackson in the 2026 cycle. Jackson, a former White House physician and Navy rear admiral, has held the seat since 2021. In 2022, Jackson won reelection handily, defeating Democratic attorney Kathleen Brown with 75% of the vote.
Texas’s 13th Congressional District is one of the most solidly Republican in the country, spanning the Panhandle and stretching east toward Wichita Falls. In recent elections, GOP candidates have consistently carried the district by wide margins.
Nair’s campaign will test whether a Democrat can gain traction in a deeply conservative stronghold. His strategy appears to hinge on local roots, a record of civic leadership, and an appeal to voters seeking practical governance over partisan conflict.
With his announcement, the stage is set for what could become a spirited contest in a district that rarely sees competitive races. For now, voters will be watching to see whether Nair can translate his business and academic credentials into a credible challenge against one of Texas’s most entrenched Republican incumbents.
