Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), one of President Trump's most steadfast allies, said Saturday he will retire from Congress rather than seek reelection in 2026.
Why it matters: Nehls joins a rapidly growing group of House members in both parties who have decided to call it quits, either to run for higher office or simply leave politics entirely.
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a longtime Trump ally who recently split with the president, made headlines last week by announcing her plans to resign in January.
- Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a Trump critic, told Axios he nearly resigned over the Trump administration's 28-point peace plan for the Russia-Ukraine war.
What they're saying: "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.
- "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 was first elected in 2020.
The latest: Within hours of Troy Nehls' announcement, his identical twin brother, Trever Nehls, said he plans to run for the seat.
- "I know this district. And, this district knows me. I will work every day to earn your trust and carry on the tradition of America First leadership that our outgoing Congressman Troy Nehls set," Trever Nehls wrote in a post on Facebook.
- Troy Nehls endorsed his brother in a post on facebook.
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Editor's note: This story has been updated with the latest news about Trever Nehls.
