With the 2026 midterm elections approaching and the possibility of a blue wave as President Donald Trump approaches lame duck status, Republicans in safe red seats are beginning to retire.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced last week that she will step down early from her seat in January, and now Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX), a Trump ultra-loyalist, has announced that he will not run for re-election in 2026.
“After more than 30 years in 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 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 said in a statement.
BREAKING NEWS. another retirement. https://t.co/kaX2AFuwhv
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) November 29, 2025
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Known for his sycophancy to Trump, Nehls also mentioned the president in his retirement announcement.
“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,” he added.
Among other acts of Trump brown-nosing, Nehls in 2023 was part of the push for elect Trump as Speaker of the House. Later, he pushed for renaming Dulles Airport after Trump, and for putting the president on the $100 bill.
And while Nehls is stepping away, a familiar face may be replacing him.
SEEING DOUBLE: Trever Nehls, Troy Nehls’ identical twin, announces that he’ll run for his brother’s seat in 2026. https://t.co/VOr2SALiqb pic.twitter.com/J9vtCyciBd
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) November 29, 2025
Trever Nehls, the current Congressman’s identical twin brother, will run for his brother’s seat.
“I am honored to announce my candidacy for Congressional District 22 to continue fighting for the people of this district,” Trever announced in a Facebook post. “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.”
Per the New York Post, “There are now 39 lawmakers in the House who have opted to retire, some of whom have stepped down early, according to Ballotpedia. That includes 23 Republicans and 16 Democrats.”
