WASHINGTON – Representative Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, announced Thursday evening that he will not seek re-election, concluding his campaign amidst an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide. Gonzales, who faced a runoff election scheduled for May 26, stated he will serve out the remainder of his current term. The decision comes after mounting pressure from within his party and the surfacing of explicit text messages.
The embattled congressman released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, saying, “After deep reflection and with the support of my loving family, I have decided not to seek re-election whereas serving out the rest of this Congress with the same commitment I’ve always had to my district.”
Republican leadership had earlier called on Gonzales to withdraw from the race. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., along with other key House Republicans, urged the Ethics Committee to “act expeditiously” in its investigation. National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson echoed that sentiment, stating Gonzales should allow the ethics process to move forward while focusing on his constituents. The House Ethics Committee formally announced its investigation on Wednesday, following a probe by the Office of Congressional Conduct.
Ethics Investigation and Allegations
The investigation centers around allegations of sexual misconduct and the improper use of privileges related to a relationship with Regina Santos-Aviles, a former staff member. Santos-Aviles died by suicide in September 2023. According to reports, explicit text messages exchanged between Gonzales and Santos-Aviles in 2024 have been verified by her widower, Adrian Aviles. NBC News reported on the verified texts.
Gonzales admitted to the affair during a podcast interview Wednesday, stating, “I made a mistake, and I had a lapse in judgment. And there was a lack of faith, and I accept full responsibility for those actions.” He similarly claimed to have reconciled with his wife.
Close Primary and Party Divisions
Gonzales’ decision to drop his re-election bid follows a challenging primary election where he failed to secure more than 50% of the vote, forcing a runoff against pro-gun candidate Brandon Herrera. Time reported on the close primary results and the allegations surrounding Gonzales.
The congressman has faced criticism from within his party for votes that deviated from conservative orthodoxy, including support for the Respect for Marriage Act and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. He was censured by the Texas Republican Party in 2023 for those votes. Gonzales was also one of 18 Republicans who opposed Jim Jordan’s bid for Speaker of the House.
Impact on House Republicans
Gonzales’ decision to serve out his term, despite not seeking re-election, is significant for House Republicans, who currently hold a narrow four-seat majority. Losing a member, even temporarily, can complicate legislative efforts. The slim majority means the party can afford to lose only a limited number of votes on party-line issues.
The Office of Congressional Conduct completed its investigation within 60 days of Gonzales’ primary election, delaying the delivery of its findings to the Ethics Committee. The outcome of the Ethics Committee’s probe remains uncertain, as its investigation could be halted if Gonzales’ term ends before its completion.
What comes next for the 23rd Congressional District of Texas remains to be seen. The focus will now shift to the upcoming special election to fill the seat after Gonzales’ term concludes in January 2027. The outcome of that election will be closely watched as it could further impact the balance of power in the House of Representatives.
Share your thoughts on this developing story in the comments below.
