Rep. Troy Neals Won’t Seek Re-election in 2026

Representative Troy Neals (R-Texas) announced on Saturday that he will step away from his role in Congress when his term ends in 2026. He’s making this choice to prioritize his family. Interestingly, his twin brother has expressed intentions to run for the vacated seat.

This decision came after some crucial family discussions around Thanksgiving. Neals has been part of the U.S. House of Representatives since 2021.

In his message shared on social media, he reflected, “After dedicating over 30 years of my life to serving my community through law enforcement—I’ve held roles like police officer, constable, and sheriff in Fort Bend County—for the past six years I’ve represented this district. After some heartfelt conversations with my wife and daughters during Thanksgiving, I’ve decided it’s time to focus on family and return home after this Congress.”

A staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, Neals indicated he informed Trump about his decision well before making it public. “I wanted to make sure President Trump heard it from me first,” he mentioned.

In his statement, he expressed gratitude for the opportunities he’s had: “It has been the honor of my life to serve this country in the military, serve my community in law enforcement, and serve this district in Congress. Thank you all for your trust, friendship, and prayers.”

At 57, Neals has been a prominent supporter of Trump’s strict immigration policies, including a deportation plan aimed at undocumented immigrants. Earlier this month, a related bill was introduced in the House Judiciary Committee, with a similar measure put forth by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) in the Senate.

Neals also co-sponsored a bill proposing the president’s image be placed on the $100 bill and has advocated for renaming Dulles International Airport after Trump, urging fellow Republicans to rally behind the former president’s initiatives.

Before his political career, Neals served in the U.S. Army Reserve, participating in combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and worked extensively in law enforcement.

Meanwhile, the Texas congressman’s choice aligns with a troubling trend among Republicans, including Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who recently declared she would resign in January due to a rift with Trump.

Following Neals’ retirement announcement, his identical twin brother, Trevor Neals, declared his candidacy for the 22nd Congressional District. He emphasized his commitment to uphold the conservative values established by his brother. “I’m ready to stand with President Trump and fight against the extreme policies the Democrats continue to impose on Americans,” he stated on social media.