Rep. Troy Nehls announced his retirement from his congressional seat over the holiday weekend, making way for his identical twin brother Trever to mount a bid to replace him.
“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,” the Texas Republican posted on X Saturday.
Troy Nehls, a staunch ally to Donald Trump who left the conservative House Freedom Caucus last year, said he spoke with the president prior to making his announcement.
“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 wrote in the statement.
Just minutes after Nehls’ public announcement, his twin brother revealed his intentions to run for the same seat — on a very similar platform to the one championed by his sibling.
“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,” Trever Nehls posted to Facebook. “I’m ready to take up that fight.”
There are now nearly 40 lawmakers in the House who have opted to retire —many of whom have stepped down early — including almost two dozen Republicans and 16 Democrats.
Last week, Punchbowl News reported an anonymous senior House Republican expressing concern about the exodus of lawmakers, tying it to disrespectful treatment from the White House.
“This entire White House team has treated ALL members like garbage. ALL,” the unnamed senior House Republican said. “That is the sentiment of nearly all — appropriators, authorizers, hawks, doves, rank and file. The arrogance of this White House team is off-putting.
“More explosive early resignations are coming. It’s a tinder box. Morale has never been lower,” they continued. “Mike Johnson will be stripped of his gavel, and they will lose the majority before this term is out.”
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