Texas was rocked this weekend after Rep. Troy Nehls — one of President Donald Trump’s strongest and most dependable allies — confirmed he will retire from Congress at the end of his term. His exit adds fuel to growing concerns that Democrats are quietly targeting openings in America’s most reliably conservative states ahead of the crucial 2026 midterm elections.
Nehls’ decision comes as the Republican Party faces a wave of retirements and public internal disagreements, including the highly publicized fallout between President Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Greene has also announced she will leave office early, highlighting the growing frustration with Washington’s political climate. Meanwhile, top Democrats such as Nancy Pelosi are also stepping aside — a sign that both parties know the 2026 midterms could reshape the balance of power in Congress.
At the same time, Republicans and Democrats are engaged in a fierce battle over redrawn congressional maps. With the GOP holding only a 219-213 majority, even a single flipped seat could have major national consequences. And now, Democrats believe Texas — long viewed as the backbone of red-state America — may have an opening.
Nehls Confirms He Called Trump First
Representing Texas’ 22nd District, a region the Cook Political Report rates as “Solid Republican,” Nehls has spent over 30 years serving the country as a law enforcement officer, sheriff, Army Reservist, and conservative lawmaker. He sits on the Judiciary and Transportation committees and is a member of the “Anti-Woke Caucus,” which has pushed back aggressively against left-wing policies and ballooning federal power.
In his announcement, Nehls explained that he made the decision after conversations with his wife and daughters. Before going public, he personally phoned President Trump. Nehls said he wanted America’s 45th and 47th President to hear it “directly from me,” calling Trump “a strong ally for our district and a true friend.”
Nehls has also been a vocal defender of Trump’s border-security agenda and helped support the administration’s efforts against illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking — key issues for older conservative voters across Texas.
Democrats Move In — But Texas Might Not Flip Easily
Sensing opportunity, Democrats quickly filed to compete for the seat. Iowa Colony Mayor Pro Tem Marquette Greene-Scott joined the race, raising eyebrows among strategists who believe Democrats hope to flip at least one Texas district to blunt Trump’s national momentum.
But conservatives aren’t backing down.
On the same day Nehls announced his retirement, his twin brother Trever Nehls declared his candidacy. In a strong pro-Trump message posted to Facebook, Trever pledged to:
- Defend conservative values
- Secure the southern border
- Protect families from rising crime
- Stand with President Trump against the radical Left
- Push back against Democrat attempts to reshape Texas
He warned that Democrats are “pressing an increasingly reckless agenda” that threatens public safety, economic stability, and the traditional values Texans hold dear.
More Texas Republicans Exiting — Media Spins ‘Red State Trouble’ Narrative
Several other Republican lawmakers — including Reps. Michael McCaul, Jodey Arrington, and Morgan Luttrell — have also said they won’t seek reelection. Left-wing groups and media outlets immediately tried portraying these retirements as a sign of “GOP panic,” even though many members cite family, military service, or personal reasons for stepping down.
Far-left activist Neera Tanden claimed on X, “The dam is breaking,” celebrating the retirements as a potential path for Democrats to claw their way into deep-red states.
But what Tanden won’t mention: Texas voters overwhelmingly voted for Trump, overwhelmingly support border enforcement, and overwhelmingly reject the Biden-era chaos that has flooded communities with illegal immigration, crime, and inflation.
The Road Ahead: Texas Still Favors Trump
Candidates have until December 8 to file, with the primary set for March 3 and the general election taking place on November 3, 2026.
Political experts note that while Democrats see Texas as a target, the state continues to trend even more conservative as voters respond to President Trump’s strong leadership on:
- Border security
- National defense
- Crime and law enforcement
- Economic stability
- Protecting America’s energy industry
Nehls’ retirement may shift the political landscape, but Texas voters have made one thing clear: they still stand firmly with President Trump and the America First movement.
And despite Democrats’ hopes, flipping one of the reddest states in America remains a longshot — especially with Trump back in the White House and Texas conservatives energized heading into 2026.