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Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, announced Saturday that he would not run for re-election in 2026 so he could focus on his family, and his own twin brother subsequently announced his candidacy to fill the vacancy.
The congressman said he made the decision after speaking with his family on Thanksgiving. He has served in the US House of Representatives since 2021.
“After more than 30 years in law enforcement, serving and protecting my community as a police officer, police officer, Fort Bend County Sheriff and Army veteran, and after representing this district in Congress for six years, after discussions with my beautiful bride and girls over the Thanksgiving holiday, I have made the decision to focus on my family and return home after this Congress,” he wrote on X.
An ally of the president Donald TrumpNehls said he informed the commander in chief of his plans before making his announcement.
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Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, announced he will not run for re-election in 2026. (Getty Images)
“Before making this decision, I personally called President Trump to inform him of my plans,” Nehls said. “President Trump has always been a strong ally of our district and a true friend, and I wanted him to hear it from me first.”
“Serving this country in the military, serving our community in law enforcement and serving this district in Congress has been the honor of my life,” he continued. “Thank you for your trust, your friendship and your prayers.”
Nehls, 57, was a big supporter of Trump’s mass deportation agenda. The House Judiciary Committee introduced its bill earlier this month that would remove barriers to illegal migrant deportations. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., introduced a similar measure in the Senate.
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Rep. Troy Nehls said he briefed President Donald Trump on his plans before making his announcement. (Nathan Posner/Getty Images)
The congressman also co-sponsored a bill that would put Trump on the $100 bill honoring the president. He also called for Dulles International Airport to be renamed after Trump and for it Republican Party to support anything Trump says or does.
Nehls previously served as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve and was deployed to combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also worked in law enforcement for many years.
The Texas congressman joins a growing list of Republican lawmakers who have decided not to keep their seats, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor GreeneR-Ga., who announced earlier this month amid her feud with Trump that she would resign in January.
The Texas congressman joins a growing list of Republican lawmakers who have decided not to keep their seats. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
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After Nehls announced his retirement, his identical twin brother Trever Nehls said he would run for his brother’s seat.
“It is an honor to announce my candidacy for Congressional District 22 to continue fighting for the people of this district,” he wrote on Facebook. “District 22 needs a representative who will follow in Troy’s footsteps and stand side by side with President Trump to defend our conservative values, secure the border, protect our families and oppose the reckless and radical agenda that Democrats continue to push on the American people. I am ready to take up this fight.”
