Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) announced his retirement from Congress on Saturday, the latest of several House Republicans to announce their departure.
Nehls, 57, said he made the decision after careful consultation with his family over Thanksgiving. Unlike some others, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), he will only exit Congress after his term ends.
“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 and my girls over the Thanksgiving holiday, to focus on my family and return home after this Congress,” Nehls said in a statement.
The Texas Republican, known as one of the most outspoken hardline conservatives and Trump loyalists in the House, reaffirmed his support for the president.
“Before making this decision, I called President Trump personally to let him know of my plans. 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,” he said.
Nehls is just the latest in an exodus of Republican lawmakers from Congress, a phenomenon credited to low morale among the caucus.
‘DISRESPECTED AND UNPROTECTED’: DOZENS OF LAWMAKERS ARE HEADING FOR THE EXITS EARLY
Ten senators and 39 House members have announced they will not seek reelection next cycle, a number consisting of 17 Democrats and 22 Republicans.
Nehls’s district is deep Red — he won his last election by over 24 points.