HOUSTON, Texas — U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Richmond) announced Saturday he will not seek reelection in 2026, becoming the sixth Texas Republican this cycle to exit Congress. Nehls, 57, is serving his third term representing the 22nd Congressional District, which covers Fort Bend and Brazoria counties and parts of Harris, Matagorda, and Wharton counties. The retirement comes just nine days before Texas’ December 8 ballot-filing deadline.
Shortly after Nehls’ announcement, his twin brother, Trever Nehls — a former Fort Bend County constable — declared he would run for the seat, pledging to “stand shoulder-to-shoulder with President Trump.” Trever previously ran unsuccessfully for county sheriff in 2020 and county judge in 2022.
Nehls, a staunch Trump ally, said he phoned the president before making the news public, calling Trump “a strong ally for our district.” The decision arrives as Texas awaits a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on whether the state may use a newly drawn congressional map that federal judges said was gerrymandered to give Republicans as many as five additional seats.
Five other Texas Republicans — Wesley Hunt, Chip Roy, Jodey Arrington, Morgan Luttrell, and Michael McCaul — have also announced they will not seek reelection. Nehls’ departure adds uncertainty to the state’s shifting delegation as redistricting and candidate reshuffling continue ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Nehls previously served nearly 30 years in law enforcement and 21 years in the U.S. Army Reserve before entering Congress in 2021.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sources:
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
