Representative Tony Gonzales Will Not Seek Re-election

Representative Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican, said on Thursday that he would not seek re-election while serving out the rest of this Congress.

“Advertisement Supported by Several House members had called for Mr”

New York Times

The decision followed growing bipartisan outcry after text messages emerged showing his pursuit of a staff member, Regina Santos-Aviles.

New York Times

Several House members had called for Mr. Gonzales to step down after the messages attracted public attention.

The controversy has overshadowed a fierce primary fight in his district.

Bobby Barrera, a lawyer for her husband who reviewed the texts, said Ms. Santos-Aviles, who worked for Mr. Gonzales at a district office in Uvalde, received 'sexual texts' from him in 2024 and that he sought a relationship with her.

A fellow staff member shared a text exchange with The New York Times in which Ms. Santos-Aviles told the co-worker of an 'affair with our boss.'

New York Times

The Uvalde Police Department said Ms. Santos-Aviles killed herself in September 2025.

After her death, there were discussions in the district of a possible affair that would be a clear violation of House ethics rules.

Mr. Gonzales initially denied any sexual relationship at the time.

“Advertisement Supported by Several House members had called for Mr”

New York Times

He publicly acknowledged the extramarital affair to a podcaster on Wednesday.

This acknowledgement came the day after he and Brandon Herrera, a gun rights advocate and YouTuber known as the AK Guy, failed to receive a majority of the Republican primary vote.

The two were headed to a runoff that was scheduled for May 26.

Mr. Gonzales is a third-term congressman from an increasingly conservative border district that stretches from San Antonio to El Paso.

His decision not to seek re-election came amid intensifying scrutiny of the texts and calls from colleagues across the aisle for him to leave office.

New York Times

This leaves the remainder of his term to be served while the primary contest proceeds.