Rep. Tony Gonzales Withdraws From Reelection Bid Amid Ethics Investigation

WASHINGTON — Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas announced late Thursday that he would not seek reelection, following his admission of an affair with a former staff member who later died by suicide. The decision comes after calls from GOP leadership for him to complete his reelection bid and from other members of Congress to resign.

“After deep reflection and with the support of my loving family, I have decided not to seek re-election,” Gonzales said in a statement posted to X . The move marks the latest development in a situation that has quickly unfolded, resulting in a House Ethics Committee investigation into his conduct. Gonzales’s withdrawal appears to clear the field, as he had been forced into a May runoff against Brandon Herrera, a gun manufacturer and YouTube gun-rights influencer who narrowly lost to him in the 2024 primary .

Pressure From GOP Leadership

House Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP leaders had earlier on Thursday urged Gonzales to withdraw from the reelection race after he acknowledged a relationship that has caused political upheaval in his home state and in Washington.

“We have encouraged him to address these very serious allegations directly with his constituents and his colleagues,” said Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Whip Tom Emmer, and GOP Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain in a joint statement . Several Republicans had already called for Gonzales to step aside, and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., introduced resolutions to remove him from committee assignments and censure him.

Admission of Affair and Investigation

Gonzales admitted to the affair during an appearance on the “Joe Pags Show,” when asked about his relationship with Regina Ann Santos-Aviles. Santos-Aviles, 35, died after setting herself on fire in the backyard of her home in Uvalde, Texas, and the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her death a suicide .

“I made a mistake and I had a lapse in judgment, and there was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions,” Gonzales said. He added that he had reconciled with his wife, Angel, and asked for forgiveness. He also stated he looked forward to the Ethics Committee investigation.

The House Ethics Committee is investigating whether the relationship violated congressional rules prohibiting members of Congress from engaging in sexual relationships with employees under their supervision . Gonzales had previously denied the affair.

Gonzales, a father of six, first won his seat in 2020 after a 20-year career in the Navy, including service in Iraq and Afghanistan. He stated he had not spoken to Santos-Aviles since June 2024, prior to her death in September 2025.