FILE – Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, speaks throughout a information convention Dec. 7, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Mariam Zuhaib/AP
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Mariam Zuhaib/AP
WASHINGTON — Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas mentioned late Thursday he was withdrawing from his reelection race, after having admitted an affair with a former employees member who later died by suicide, however he vowed to complete out his time period in Congress.
He had confronted calls from GOP management to finish his reelection bid, and from others in Congress to resign.
“After deep reflection and with the help of my loving household, I’ve determined to not search re-election,” Gonzales mentioned in a press release posted late Thursday to X.
The transfer is the most recent in a rapidly altering scenario that surprised Capitol Hill and resulted in a Home Ethics Committee investigation into his conduct. Gonzales’ resolution to bow out of the race seems to clear the sphere. On Tuesday, he had been compelled right into a Could runoff in opposition to Brandon Herrera, a gun producer and YouTube gun-rights influencer who narrowly misplaced to him within the 2024 major.
Home Speaker Mike Johnson and the GOP management earlier Thursday had known as on Gonzales to withdraw from reelection after Gonzales, a day earlier, acknowledged a relationship that has upturned the political world in his dwelling state and in Washington.
“We’ve inspired him to handle these very critical allegations straight along with his constituents and his colleagues,” mentioned Johnson, Majority Chief Steve Scalise, Whip Tom Emmer, and GOP Convention Chairwoman Lisa McClain in a press release.
“Within the meantime, Management has requested Congressman Gonzales to withdraw from his race for reelection.”
Johnson, R-La., has been underneath huge strain from his personal GOP lawmakers to take motion, and a number of other Republicans have already known as for Gonzales to step apart. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., has launched two resolutions to punish Gonzales. The primary seeks to take away him from his assignments on the Home Appropriations and Homeland Safety committees, whereas the second seeks to censure him.
Home Democratic Chief Hakeem Jeffries of New York, in the meantime, mentioned he would help expelling Gonzales from the Home, a uncommon step that requires a two-thirds vote from the chamber.
GOP leaders notably didn’t name for Gonzales to resign from workplace as they wrestle to keep up their slim majority within the Home, which they maintain by solely a handful of seats.
Their transfer got here after Gonzales, showing on the “Joe Pags Present,” was requested whether or not he had a relationship with the aide, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles.
Santos-Aviles, 35, died after setting herself on hearth within the yard of her dwelling in Uvalde, Texas. The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Workplace later dominated her loss of life a suicide.
“I made a mistake and I had a lapse in judgment, and there was an absence of religion, and I take full accountability for these actions,” Gonzales mentioned.
The congressman, now in his third time period, had mentioned he wouldn’t step down in response to the allegations, telling reporters just lately that there can be alternatives for all the small print and details to return out.
Gonzales, a father of six, first gained his seat in 2020 after retiring from a 20-year profession within the Navy that included time in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Within the interview broadcast Wednesday, Gonzales mentioned he had not spoken to Santos-Aviles since June 2024. She died in September 2025.
“I had completely nothing to do along with her tragic passing, and in reality, I used to be shocked simply as a lot as everybody else,” Gonzales mentioned.
Gonzales went on to say he had reconciled along with his spouse, Angel, and has requested God to forgive him. He additionally mentioned he appeared ahead to the Ethics Committee investigation.
Johnson and GOP management urged that committee to “act expeditiously.”
Below Home ethics guidelines, lawmakers might not interact in a sexual relationship with any worker of the Home underneath their supervision.
