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Gonzales not seeking reelection
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Tex.) announced he will not seek reelection after acknowledging an extramarital affair with a former district staffer.
“Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Tex.) announced he is ending his reelection bid after admitting to an extramarital affair with a former regional district director in his office and amid an ongoing House Ethics Committee probe into whether the relationship violated rules banning sexual relationships with supervised employees.”
He said he will serve out the remainder of his current term.
Multiple outlets report he admitted the relationship, apologized, said he has reconciled with his wife, and pledged to cooperate with investigators as he finishes his term in Congress.
Gonzales affair and death
Reporting across outlets details the staffer, Regina Santos‑Aviles, who died by suicide in September 2025.
Her alleged text messages prompted scrutiny.
Gonzales initially denied the reports, calling them blackmail.
He later acknowledged the affair on a March 4 podcast, apologized, and described the episode as a lapse in judgment.
He said he had "absolutely nothing" to do with her death and that he and his wife have reconciled.
Gonzales ethics probe
The House Ethics Committee has opened a bipartisan investigation into whether Gonzales engaged in sexual misconduct toward an employee or improperly granted favors or privileges.
“The House Ethics Committee has voted to open an investigation into whether he engaged in sexual misconduct toward an employee and improperly granted favors or privileges.”
The nonpartisan Office of Congressional Ethics said it had "substantial reason to believe" he had a sexual relationship with a subordinate that may have violated House rules.
The committee vote to open a probe and the OCE's finding together escalated official scrutiny.
Texas 23rd District race
Gonzales had advanced to a GOP runoff in Texas’s 23rd District and was headed to a May 26 runoff against gun-rights influencer Brandon Herrera.
With Gonzales withdrawing, outlets report Herrera will advance to the general election to face Democrat Katy Padilla Stout.
That development alters the dynamics in a competitively contested district.
One account noted Herrera had outpaced Gonzales in the primary vote totals.
GOP reaction to Gonzales
GOP leaders publicly urged Gonzales to withdraw from the race, with Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise and other top Republicans pressing him to step aside.
“The House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into the matter, and top House Republicans — including Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Rep. Tom Emmer and Rep. Lisa McClain — publicly asked him to withdraw from the race.”
Some Republicans emphasized leaving the decision to voters and protecting the House majority.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna filed measures seeking to censure Gonzales and strip him of committee assignments.
Gonzales said he would cooperate with the probe but will finish his term rather than resign.