U.S. Representative Troy Nehls, a Republican from Richmond, announced on Saturday that he will not pursue reelection for his Houston-area congressional seat, marking him as the sixth Republican in Texas’ congressional delegation to declare retirement this election cycle.
In the wake of Nehls’ announcement, his twin brother, Trever Nehls, promptly declared his candidacy for the House seat. He pledged to “follow in Troy’s footsteps and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with President Trump.”
Trever Nehls, a former constable of Fort Bend County, previously aimed to take over his brother’s position as sheriff in a close race during 2020, which he lost while Troy Nehls was elected to Congress. He also faced defeat in the 2022 race for Fort Bend County judge.
At 57 years old, Troy Nehls is currently serving his third term in Texas’ 22nd Congressional District, which encompasses Fort Bend and Brazoria counties. This strongly Republican district also includes portions of Harris, Matagorda, and Wharton counties, extending to the Gulf Coast southwest of Houston.
An ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump, Nehls mentioned in a news release that he contacted Trump prior to making his retirement public to “personally 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,” he added.
Nehls’ announcement comes just nine days before the Dec. 8 deadline for candidates wishing to file for the 2026 primary ballot, creating a narrow window for prospective successors to enter the race. This timing is also significant as the structure of Texas’ 38 congressional districts remains uncertain. A panel of federal judges has prevented the state from implementing a newly gerrymandered map designed to increase Republican seats by as many as five.
The U.S. Supreme Court is anticipated to make a ruling soon regarding Texas’ request to utilize the new map while the legal disputes surrounding its validity unfold. Under the proposed boundaries, Nehls’ 22nd District would retain approximately two-thirds of its current population while shedding Matagorda and Wharton counties and incorporating more residents from Harris County.
Nehls joins five other Texas Republicans who have already confirmed their decision not to seek reelection in 2026. Among them, U.S. Representatives Wesley Hunt of Houston and Chip Roy of Austin are pursuing other political offices, while the remaining three—Jodey Arrington of Lubbock, Morgan Luttrell of Magnolia, and Michael McCaul of Austin—have yet to announce their future intentions.
Earlier this month, Nehls voted alongside the rest of Texas’ GOP congressional delegation to mandate the Justice Department to publish its files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, shortly after he had advocated for their concealment. This change occurred following Trump’s encouragement for Republicans to support the release of the files.
“If Donald Trump says ‘Jump three feet high and scratch your heads,’ we all jump three feet high and scratch our heads,” Nehls stated to reporters last November.
Before entering Congress, Nehls dedicated nearly 30 years to various law enforcement positions, including two terms as Fort Bend County sheriff, and served 21 years in the U.S. Army Reserve.
“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,” Nehls expressed. “Thank you for your trust, your friendship, and your prayers.”
Nehls is a member of the House Judiciary Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he chairs the Subcommittee on Aviation. He also participates in subcommittees focusing on crime, federal government surveillance, highways, and transit. Initially selected for the House select committee investigating the events of January 6, 2021, he ultimately did not serve on that panel.
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