Nehls Twins: A Congressional Changing of the Guard

In a remarkable political development that highlights the close-knit bonds of family and public service, Trever Nehls has announced his candidacy for Texas Congressional District 22, seeking to replace his identical twin brother, Representative Troy Nehls, who recently announced his retirement from Congress. This unusual transition represents not only a fascinating personal story of twin brothers who have frequently followed in each other’s footsteps, but also reflects the broader political landscape as numerous lawmakers from both parties announce their departures ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Troy Nehls, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump and member of the “Anti-Woke” Caucus, has served three terms in Congress following decades of service in law enforcement and the military. His retirement adds to the growing list of congressional exits that are reshaping the political battlefield as both parties jockey for position in the upcoming electoral contests.

The story of the Nehls twins embodies a remarkable pattern of shared public service that has spanned decades. Before his congressional career, Troy Nehls served as a police officer, constable, and sheriff, along with military service in the Army Reserve. In a pattern that now continues with his congressional seat, Trever has previously stepped into roles his brother vacated, succeeding Troy as constable for Fort Bend County in 2013 and winning the Republican nomination to follow him as sheriff in 2020. Like his brother, Trever also served in the Army Reserve for 24 years, including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, creating parallel careers that have now converged once again with Trever’s congressional bid. “I am honored to announce my candidacy for Congressional District 22 to continue fighting for the people of this district,” Trever wrote in his Facebook announcement, explicitly positioning himself as continuing his brother’s legacy while expressing gratitude for Troy’s decades of service “in the military and in law enforcement where we served together.”

Troy Nehls’ departure comes during a time of significant flux within the Republican Party. As an outspoken Trump supporter who has advocated for stricter immigration policies and served on the House Judiciary Committee and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Nehls has been a reliable conservative voice in Congress. His decision to step down, which he attributed to family considerations after discussions with his wife Jill, an educator, and their three daughters over Thanksgiving, comes amid broader party tensions. The GOP has recently experienced public divisions, most notably the high-profile falling-out between former President Trump and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, which culminated in Greene’s announcement that she will leave office in January 2025 before completing her term. These departures reflect the ongoing realignment within the Republican Party as different factions navigate their relationships with Trump and position themselves for future political landscapes.

In announcing his candidacy, Trever Nehls has made it clear he intends to maintain his brother’s political orientation, particularly regarding support for former President Trump. “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,” he stated in his Facebook announcement. This positioning reflects the continuing influence of Trump within the Republican Party, especially in conservative districts like Texas’ 22nd. Trever’s campaign launch emphasizes continuity rather than change, leveraging the family connection and name recognition while promising to “carry on the tradition of America First leadership” established by his brother, a strategy that acknowledges the political dynamics of the district while capitalizing on the unusual circumstances of this twin-to-twin transition.

The broader context for these developments is the approaching 2026 midterm elections, which will determine control of both houses of Congress. Currently, Republicans hold a razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives (219-213), making every seat potentially decisive for future control. Both parties are actively engaged in efforts to redraw congressional maps to secure more favorable district boundaries, with each side hoping to gain advantages that could tip the balance of power. Historical patterns suggest the party not holding the White House—currently the Republicans—often performs better in midterm elections, though recent electoral cycles have shown these patterns are not ironclad. The departures of established incumbents like Troy Nehls create both opportunities and challenges for parties seeking to maintain or flip seats, adding another layer of complexity to the electoral calculations underway.

The timeline for this congressional transition is now set, with candidates having until December 8, 2024, to file for candidacy. Texas voters will make their primary selections on March 3, with the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026. While Trever Nehls brings unique advantages to this race—including name recognition, previous public service experience, and a direct connection to the outgoing representative—the electoral process will ultimately determine whether District 22 voters embrace this unusual twin succession. As this campaign unfolds, it will serve as both a fascinating human interest story about identical twins continuing their parallel paths of public service and a case study in the broader political realignments reshaping Congress ahead of the pivotal 2026 midterm elections. For Trever Nehls, the coming months will reveal whether voters see him as a natural extension of his brother’s legacy or prefer a different direction for their congressional representation.