Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales Will Not Seek Re-election After Ethics Probe, Admission of Affair
Texas Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales announced late Thursday he will not seek re-election, following an ethics investigation and his admission of an affair with a former staff member who later died by suicide. Gonzales will serve out his current term.
The decision comes after mounting pressure from party leadership and calls for his resignation. Gonzales posted on X, formerly Twitter, “After deep reflection and with the support of my loving family, I have decided not to seek re-election.”
Ethics Investigation
The House Ethics Committee initiated an investigation earlier this week into allegations surrounding Gonzales, including the affair with Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who died in September 2023 at the age of 35. The committee will investigate whether Gonzales engaged in sexual misconduct with an employee and whether he provided preferential treatment or privileges unfairly. Associated Press
Under House ethics rules, sexual relationships between lawmakers and employees under their supervision are prohibited.
Contentious Re-election Bid
Gonzales faced a runoff election against Brandon Herrera, a gun manufacturer and YouTube influencer, after failing to secure 50% of the vote in the 2024 primary. Wikipedia This followed several conservative primary challengers prompted by Gonzales’s votes on key issues.
Party Response
House Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP leaders had urged Gonzales to withdraw from the race. In a joint statement, Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Republican Whip Tom Emmer, and GOP Conference Chair Lisa McClain stated they had “encouraged him to address these very serious allegations directly with his constituents and his colleagues.” They also indicated they had asked Gonzales to withdraw from the re-election race. Associated Press
While GOP leaders did not call for Gonzales to resign, citing the necessitate to maintain their slim House majority, some Republicans, such as Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna, had introduced resolutions to punish Gonzales. Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed support for expelling Gonzales from the House, a move requiring a two-thirds vote. Associated Press
Background
Tony Gonzales, born October 10, 1980, is currently serving his third term in Congress, representing Texas’s 23rd congressional district. He is a veteran of the United States Navy, having served for twenty years and rising to the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. gonzales.house.gov His district covers a large portion of the southern border. He also serves as Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Conference. gonzales.house.gov
Gonzales was previously censured by the Texas Republican Party for his votes on the Respect for Marriage Act and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Wikipedia He also voted against Jim Jordan’s nomination for Speaker of the House on three occasions and opposed the House rules package. Wikipedia