Fort Bend sheriff won’t seek new term, may eye Congress
Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls announced Wednesday that he would forgo a third term, opening up potential scenarios that could change the political landscape in a fast-growing suburb that has trended blue in recent elections.
“My work in law enforcement, it’s been an honor and a privilege,” said Nehls. “I’ve done it for almost 25 years. I think it’s time for me to do something else.”
News of Nehls’ decision prompted immediate speculation that he might run for Congress, a possibility he did not confirm or deny in an interview. Nehls, who has served as sheriff of the fast-growing county since 2012, said he announced his decision not to seek re-election now to provide time for others who may want to run for sheriff.
“I will again revisit that over the next four, five months,” Nehls said about a possible Congress run. “We’ll just wait to see what happens.” Democrat Eric Fagan, a former Houston police officer, announced earlier this year that he would run for sheriff. However, Fagan has said he wants the sheriff ’s office to be nonpartisan.
If Nehls, a Republican, were to to run for Congress in the 22nd District where he lives, he would face incumbent Republican Pete Olson in the GOP primary. Two Democrats are running so far: Sri Kulkarni, a multilingual former Foreign Service officer who came within 5 percentage points of unseating Olson in 2018, and Nyanza Moore, a lawyer and Fox 26 political com
mentator.
The increasingly diverse county’s political dynamics are shifting, as two Demicrats won top offices last year. Brian Middleton defeated Republican Cliff Vacek to become the county’s first African American district attorney, and KP George unseated longtime Republican County Judge Bob Herbert. In the 2016 presidential race, Fort Bend County voters chose Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump by a 7-point margin.
Nehls, 51, touted his accomplishments in a news release announcing his decision. He noted a 65 percent reduction in residential burglaries and the funding of an inmate vocational center without using taxpayer dollars.
“We aim to make you feel safe and secure in your home and when traveling around Fort Bend County,” Nehls said in the release. “We are one of the safest counties in the greater Houston area and I am very proud of that.”
Nehls has faced controversy during his seven years as sheriff. Most recently, he was involved in a dispute with a county commissioner over a new sheriff ’s substation.
He also faced backlash after a woman driving a car with a bumper sticker containing an expletive referring to President Donald Trump was arrested for an outstanding warrant.
The sheriff said his recent dispute with Commissioner Andy Meyers did not influence his decision.
“Absolutely not,” said Nehls. “Politics is politics. I may get a commissioner or two that may not necessarily agree, but I’ve always taken a position and done what’s in the best interest of the residents of Fort Bend County and their safety.”
Nehls said he has delivered on campaign promises such as improving the rate of solving crimes and building relationships with other agencies.
Prior to being elected sheriff, Nehls served two terms as Precinct 4 constable in Fort Bend County.
Nehls said he has encouraged his twin brother, Constable Trever Nehls, to run to replace him as sheriff. Trever Nehls was elected Precinct 4 constable after his twin left the job to run for sheriff.
Trever, who is also a colonel in the Army Reserve, could not be reached for comment on a possible run for sheriff because he is deployed.