Republican U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas says he will retire in 2026

Texas Rep. Troy Nehls Announces Retirement from Congress, Endorses Twin Brother as Successor

Congressman Troy Nehls, a Republican representative from Texas and vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, announced Saturday he will not seek reelection after his current term expires in 2026.

Nehls, who has represented Texas’s 22nd congressional district since 2021, cited family considerations as the primary reason for his decision. In a statement posted on social media platform X, Nehls revealed he had personally informed Trump of his plans to step away from Congress.

“President Trump has always been a strong ally for our district and a true friend, and I wanted him to hear it from me first,” Nehls wrote in his announcement.

In the same statement, Nehls took the unusual step of immediately endorsing his twin brother, Trever Nehls, as his preferred successor. Trever Nehls subsequently confirmed on Facebook that he intends to run for the seat, promising to “stand shoulder-to-shoulder with President Trump” if elected.

The district, which covers suburban and rural areas southwest of Houston, has been a Republican stronghold in recent elections. Troy Nehls won reelection in 2022 by a commanding margin of over 24 percentage points, reflecting the district’s strong conservative leanings.

Before entering Congress, Troy Nehls built a lengthy career in public service, including nearly three decades in law enforcement and more than 20 years in the Army Reserve. This background informed his committee assignments in Congress, where he currently serves on the Judiciary and the Transportation and Infrastructure committees.

Throughout his congressional tenure, Nehls has positioned himself as a steadfast Trump ally. His loyalty to the former president has been visible in both policy positions and personal displays, including wearing a t-shirt featuring Trump’s mug shot — a reference to Trump’s legal challenges that became a rallying symbol among his supporters.

Nehls’ alignment with Trump extended to contentious political moments. He was among the Republican representatives who voted against certifying certain state results in the 2020 presidential election won by Joe Biden, echoing Trump’s disputed claims about election irregularities.

In the aftermath of the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy initially selected Nehls to serve on the select committee investigating the events of that day. However, McCarthy ultimately withdrew all his nominations, including Nehls, after then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected two other Republican picks for the panel. The committee eventually formed with different membership and conducted its investigation without Nehls’ participation.

Political analysts note that Nehls’ early announcement of retirement — nearly two years before his term ends — provides ample time for potential candidates to organize campaigns for the open seat. While his endorsement of his twin brother carries symbolic weight, the eventual Republican primary is expected to attract multiple candidates given the district’s favorable partisan composition for Republicans.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Nehls’ retirement announcement.

Nehls’ departure in 2026 will mark the end of what will be a six-year congressional career, relatively brief by historical standards but consistent with increasing turnover rates in Congress. His decision adds to the growing list of congressional retirements announced ahead of the 2024 and 2026 election cycles, reflecting both personal considerations and the increasingly polarized nature of legislative service in Washington.