Representative Troy Nehls, a Texas Republican, announced Saturday that he will retire from the U.S. House at the end of his term, adding to a growing list of lawmakers who are planning on leaving office soon.
Newsweek has reached out to Nehls’ press team for comment via email on Saturday.
Why It Matters
The upcoming midterm elections are coming at a time when there have been several fissures in the Republican Party, most notably with the public fall out between President Donald Trump and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. Their public spat has resulted in Greene announcing she will be leaving office in January before the end of her term. The average years of service for a House member in the 119th Congress is 8.6 years.
Several other lawmakers have announced they will not be campaigning for reelection in 2026, including Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi of California. Traditionally, the party that does not hold the White House tends to perform better in the midterms.
The announcements come as both parties push for redrawn congressional maps, seeking more favorable lines in hopes of gaining seats and securing a House majority. Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in the House, 219-213.
What To Know
In a Saturday announcement, Nehls, who represents Texas’ 22nd district, wrote: “I have made the decision, after conversations with my beautiful bride and my girls over the Thanksgiving holiday, to focus on my family and return home after this Congress.” Nehls has three daughters.
The three-term congressman has spent more than three decades in law enforcement and the military, serving as a police officer, constable and sheriff, and in the Army Reserve. He serves on the House Judiciary committee, Transportation and Infrastructure committee, and is a member of the “Anti-Woke” Caucus.
His statement continued: “Before making this decision, I called President Trump personally to let him know of my plans. 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 is a strong Trump ally and has been an advocate of Trump’s illegal immigration crackdown along with other policies.
Concluding his announcement, the congressman said, “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. Thank you for your trust, your friendship, and your prayers.”
Texas’ 22nd District includes most of Fort Bend County and has been rated “Solid Republican” by the Cook Political Report. Iowa Colony Mayor Pro Tem Marquette Greene-Scott entered the race as a Democrat, per an FEC filing, and in a now-deleted Facebook post, Nehls twin brother, Trever, announced his candidacy on Saturday.
Texas Republican colleagues Representatives Michael McCaul, Jodey Arrington, and Morgan Luttrell all announced earlier this fall they would not be seeking reelection.
What People Are Saying
Republicans Against Trump X account said in a Saturday post: “JUST IN: Texas Republican Rep. Troy Nehls, one of Trump’s closest allies, says he won’t seek reelection in 2026. He’s the latest in a growing wave of GOP lawmakers retiring ahead of what many expect to be a devastating midterm.”
Trever Nehls, Troy’s twin brother, said in a now-deleted Facebook post on Saturday, per Fox News and NBC News: “I am honored to announce my candidacy for Congressional District 22 to continue fighting for the people of this district. District 22 needs 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.”
Neera Tanden, president and CEO of Center for American Progress, wrote in an X post in response to Nehls’ retirement: “The dam is breaking.”
What Happens Next?
Candidates have until the evening of December 8 to file their candidacy for the seat. The primary will take place on March 3, and the general election on November 3, 2026.
