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Texas Rep. Troy Nehls tapped his identical twin brother to replace him in Congress as he joined the wave of retirements SaturdayNehls (R-Texas), who has served in the House since 2021, said he decided against reelection after conferring with his family during Thanksgiving. 

“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 posted on X.

Trever Nehls (left) with President Donald Trump and his twin brother Rep. Troy Nehls aboard “Trump Force One” on Oct. 7, 2024. Trever Nehls/Facebook

“Before making this decision, I called President Trump personally to let him know of my plans,” he added. “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 represents the 22nd Congressional District, an ax head-shaped territory that includes Sugar Land and a swath of Houston’s southwest surbubs, as well as a stretch of the Gulf Coast.  

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. 

Rep. Troy Nehls questions FBI Director Kash Patel during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, DC, on Sept. 17, 2025. Jack Gruber-USA TODAY via Imagn Images

So far, more House incumbents are retiring at this stage of the election cycle than at any point since at least the 2018 midterms, per Ballotpedia.

The congressional exodus comes amid GOP fears of a blue wave in the midterm elections, due to historical trends favoring the party not in control of the White House. It also comes in the context of bitter frustrations among certain lawmakers. 

“This entire White House team has treated ALL members like garbage. ALL,” an unnamed senior House Republican vented to Punchbowl News last week. “That is the sentiment of nearly all — appropriators, authorizers, hawks, doves, rank and file. The arrogance of this White House team is off-putting.”

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“More explosive early resignations are coming. It’s a tinder box. Morale has never been lower. Mike Johnson will be stripped of his gavel and they will lose the majority before this term is out.”

That anonymous senior House Republican’s frank talk came shortly after firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) announced that she will step aside early on Jan. 5, 2026, following her falling out with President Trump. 

Nehls, who previously served in the hardcore conservative House Freedom Caucus before exiting the bloc last year, had been a close Trump ally and a staunch proponent of his deportation agenda. 

The Nehls brothers greet President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin, on Sept. 8, 2024. Trever Nehls/Facebook

Famously, he backed legislation to put Trump’s name on the $100 bill, pushed to rename Dulles International Airport after Trump, and championed legislation earlier this month to make it easier to deport illegal immigrants. 

“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 added. “Thank you for your trust, your friendship, and your prayers.”

Following Nehl’s retirement, his identical twin brother, Trever, declared his bid for the congressman’s Texas District 22 seat.

Rep. Troy Nehls poses for a photo with Vivek Ramaswamy and Trever Nehls in front of the Trump-Vance campaign bus in Wisconsin. Trever Nehls/Facebook

After Nehls announced his plans to retire, his identical twin brother, Trever Nehls, said he would be running for his brother’s seat. Trever Nehls/Facebook

“I am honored to announce my candidacy for Congressional District 22 to continue fighting for the people of this district,” Trever Nehls announced on Facebook. 

“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.”