Rep. Troy Nehls’ decision to step away from Congress is adding fresh momentum to a fast-growing wave of Republican departures ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Nehls, a Texas Republican and one of former President Trump’s most loyal House allies, said he will retire after this term—part of what Axios described as a “rapidly growing group” of lawmakers opting out of reelection.
Nehls announced that the choice came after family discussions, 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.” He also noted that he called Trump personally before going public, adding, “I wanted him to hear it from me first.”
Nehls also underscored that “serving this district in Congress has been the honor of my life.”
First elected in 2020, Nehls has held Texas’ 22nd Congressional District through increasingly comfortable margins, winning by double digits in 2022 and 2024.
Within hours of his announcement, his twin brother Trever Nehls announced on Facebook he would run for the seat and pledged to “carry on the tradition of America First leadership.”
Troy Nehls subsequently endorsed him.
Nehls is not the only Republican Retiring
As Ballotpedia News notes, he is one of 47 members of Congress who have already said they won’t seek reelection in 2026—39 of them in the House. Among Texas Republicans, he is the sixth to bow out, joining Jodey Arrington, Michael McCaul, and Morgan Luttrell, who are retiring, as well as Wesley Hunt and Chip Roy, who are pursuing higher office.
Nationally, the pattern is even more pronounced. Newsweek reports that 31 Republicans have announced they will not return to Congress, a list that spans early resignations, retirements, and campaigns for Senate, governor, or attorney general.
These exits include high-profile names such as Marjorie Taylor Greene, Don Bacon, Elise Stefanik, and Byron Donalds.
The Reason Behind
Reasons vary, but many Republicans describe fatigue, frustration, or a desire for different opportunities. As The Hill reported, Rep. Brian Mast said lawmakers often decide they’ve “had enough.” Don Bacon added, “If you’re not fired up about winning, that’s time to move on.” Rep. Thomas Massie was even blunter, saying many Republicans feel pressured to operate as “automatons” aligned with Trump.
Analysts say the pace of retirements is on track to rival the 2018 cycle, when GOP losses were significant. Erin Covey of the Cook Political Report told Newsweek she expects the final number to be “close to the same” as that year’s wave.
With redistricting fights still unfolding and internal party tensions simmering, the list of lawmakers heading for the exits may continue to expand as November 2026 approaches.
