FILE – Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, speaks during a news conference 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 announced Thursday that he will not seek reelection following revelations of an affair with a former staff member who tragically died by suicide. Despite this, Gonzales has committed to fulfilling his current term in Congress.
Pressure had been mounting on Gonzales to withdraw from the race, with GOP leaders and fellow lawmakers calling for his resignation.
“After careful consideration and with the support of my family, I have made the decision to not run for reelection,” Gonzales stated in a late-night post on X.
This development comes amidst a rapidly evolving situation that has shocked Capitol Hill and led to a House Ethics Committee investigation into Gonzales’ behavior. By stepping down from the race, Gonzales appears to have cleared the path for his opponents. Just days ago, he was forced into a runoff election against Brandon Herrera, a gun manufacturer and prominent gun-rights advocate on YouTube, who narrowly lost to him in the 2024 primary.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP leaders had earlier urged Gonzales to withdraw from the race following his admission of the relationship, which has caused a stir in Texas and Washington.
“We have advised him to directly address these serious allegations with his constituents and colleagues,” said Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Whip Tom Emmer, and GOP Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain in a joint statement.
“In the meantime, Leadership has asked Congressman Gonzales to withdraw from his race for reelection.”
Johnson, representing Louisiana, has been under immense pressure from fellow GOP members to take action, with several already calling for Gonzales’ resignation. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida has introduced resolutions aimed at reprimanding Gonzales, including removing him from his committee assignments and censuring him.
Meanwhile, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York has expressed support for expelling Gonzales from the House, a rare move that requires a two-thirds majority vote.
Notably, GOP leaders did not call for Gonzales to step down from his congressional seat as they strive to maintain their slim majority in the House.
This decision came after Gonzales publicly admitted to the relationship with his former aide, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, during an appearance on the “Joe Pags Show.”
Tragically, Santos-Aviles, aged 35, died by suicide after setting herself on fire in her Texas home. Her death was later ruled a suicide by the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office.
“I acknowledge my mistake and error in judgment, and I take full responsibility for my actions,” Gonzales stated.
The congressman, currently serving his third term, had previously stated that he would not resign in response to the allegations, emphasizing that all details and facts would come to light in due course.
A father of six, Gonzales first entered Congress in 2020 after retiring from a 20-year career in the Navy, which included deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
During the interview, Gonzales disclosed that he had not been in contact with Santos-Aviles since June 2024, prior to her passing in September 2025.
“I played no part in her tragic death, and like everyone else, I was shocked by the news,” Gonzales affirmed.
Gonzales also revealed that he had reconciled with his wife and sought forgiveness from God. He expressed readiness for the Ethics Committee’s investigation.
Johnson and other GOP leaders urged the committee to proceed swiftly with its deliberations.
According to House ethics regulations, lawmakers are prohibited from engaging in a sexual relationship with any House employee under their supervision.
