THE ESSEX FILES: Nehls Steps Aside, but Conservative Values Endure in Texas

In a move that underscores the personal toll of public service, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) has chosen family over another term in Congress. After six years representing Texas's 22nd District, Nehls announced last weekend he won't run in 2026, a decision reached over Thanksgiving turkey with his wife and daughters.

It's a reminder that even the most dedicated warriors need to recharge, especially after decades in the trenches of law enforcement and military duty. Nehls leaves behind a record that conservatives can applaud. A former Fort Bend County sheriff and Army Reserve veteran with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, he brought real-world grit to Washington.

Nehls just announced he’s not seeking reelection https://t.co/Z9kU0Vmh6b
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 29, 2025

His alliance with President Donald Trump wasn't just talk; it was action. Nehls pushed legislation to strip away barriers to deporting illegal immigrants, a bill that cleared the House Judiciary Committee this month and echoes Trump's promise to secure the border.

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…
— Congressman Troy E. Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) November 29, 2025

In a Congress too often bogged down by grandstanding, Nehls focused on results, from backing Trump's agenda to co-sponsoring measures that honored the president's fight against the establishment. Yet his departure doesn't signal retreat for Republicans in this reliably red district. Enter Trever Nehls, Troy's identical twin and a fellow law enforcement veteran, who wasted no time declaring his candidacy. It's like a real-life version of Dave. That movie, of course, starred Kevin Kline as a stand-in for the president of the United States. Yet this is a twin brother who is going to run for the seat his brother had. (I was going to reference The Patty Duke Show, but some might not get the reference.)

TREVER NEHLS will run for Congress to replace his identical twin brother TROY NEHLS. pic.twitter.com/mByrpVdY7X
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) November 29, 2025

Trever vows to pick up where his brother left off, standing "shoulder-to-shoulder with President Trump" to defend conservative principles, protect families, and counter what he calls the Democrats' "reckless and radical agenda."

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It's almost poetic: One Nehls hands off the baton to another, ensuring continuity in a time when the GOP needs steadfast voices against open borders and fiscal irresponsibility. This family handoff speaks to the depth of conservative talent in Texas. While some Republicans, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14), bow out amid internal squabbles, the Nehls story shows a smoother transition.

Districts like the 22nd, stretching from Fort Bend to parts of Houston, demand representatives who understand local priorities like energy independence and community safety. Trever, with his shared background, seems primed to deliver without the learning curve. Of course, Democrats will spin this as GOP weakness, but that's their playbook: Ignore the substance and hype the turnover. In reality, Nehls' exit highlights a party with options, not desperation. Trump himself was looped in early, a nod to the respect Nehls commands.

With the filing deadline for the primary approaching (Dec. 9), voters in the 22nd can expect a field that upholds the values Nehls championed. Public service isn't a lifetime appointment, and Nehls deserves credit for knowing when to step back. His brother's bid ensures those values don't fade. In an era of political chaos, this kind of steady hand is exactly what conservatism needs. Texas, and the nation, will be better for it.

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