Rep. Troy Nehls, a Republican from Texas, declared on Saturday his intention to forgo seeking re-election in 2026 to dedicate more time to his family, an announcement that was quickly followed by his twin brother’s declaration of candidacy for the now-vacant position.
The congressman stated that this choice was made following discussions with his family during the Thanksgiving holiday. He has been a member of the U.S. House since 2021.
“After dedicating over 30 years to law enforcement, serving and protecting my community as a police officer, constable, Fort Bend County Sheriff, an Army veteran, and six years representing this district in Congress, I have decided, after consulting with my beloved wife and daughters during the Thanksgiving break, to prioritize my family and return home after my term in Congress concludes,” he communicated via X.
Nehls, known as an ally of President Donald Trump, mentioned that he had informed the former president of his intentions before publicly announcing them.
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“Before arriving at this decision, I personally contacted President Trump to inform him of my plans,” Nehls stated. “President Trump has consistently been a steadfast supporter of our district and a true friend, and I felt it was important for him to hear this directly from me.”
“Serving this nation in the military, serving our community through law enforcement, and representing this district in Congress has been the greatest honor of my life,” he added. “Thank you for your trust, your friendship, and your prayers.”
Nehls, aged 57, has been a strong advocate for Trump’s broad deportation policies. Earlier in the month, the House Judiciary Committee moved forward with his legislation aimed at easing the deportation process for illegal migrants. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, has proposed similar legislation in the Senate.
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The congressman also co-sponsored a bill advocating for Trump’s image on the $100 bill to honor him. Additionally, he suggested renaming Dulles International Airport after Trump and urged the Republican Party to back Trump’s statements and actions unconditionally.
Nehls previously served in the U.S. Army Reserves and participated in combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Furthermore, he has a long history of working in law enforcement.
The Texas congressman is among an increasing number of Republican legislators opting not to seek re-election, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, who announced earlier in the month, amidst disagreements with Trump, that she would be stepping down in January.
Following Nehls’ announcement of his retirement plans, his identical twin brother, Trever Nehls, declared his candidacy for his brother’s congressional seat.
“I am honored to announce my candidacy for Congressional District 22 to continue fighting for the people of this district,” he shared on Facebook. “District 22 requires a Representative who will follow in Troy’s footsteps and stand shoulder-to-shoulder 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 press upon the American people. I’m ready to take up that fight.”
