Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales Withdraws from Reelection Amid Scandal
In a surprising turn of events, Texas Representative Tony Gonzales has announced he will not seek reelection. This decision comes after an admission of an affair with a former staff member, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who tragically died by suicide. Despite this, Gonzales intends to complete his current term in Congress.
The revelation has sent shockwaves through Capitol Hill, prompting the House Ethics Committee to launch an investigation into Gonzales’ actions. Republican leadership, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and other top GOP figures, had urged Gonzales to withdraw from the reelection race. Their calls followed Gonzales’ acknowledgment of the affair, which has stirred political turbulence both in Texas and Washington.
“After deep reflection and with the support of my loving family, I have decided not to seek re-election,” Gonzales stated in a post on X.
The decision opens the field for candidates, notably Brandon Herrera, who had narrowly lost to Gonzales in the 2024 primary and was set for a runoff against him. The GOP leadership has emphasized the seriousness of the allegations and encouraged Gonzales to address them directly with his constituents.
Gonzales, who is in his third term, stated he would not resign despite the scandal. He spoke about his lapse in judgment and taking full responsibility for his actions, expressing a desire for all details to eventually surface.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has expressed support for expelling Gonzales from the House, although GOP leaders have not called for his resignation, likely due to concerns over maintaining their slim majority.
In an interview, Gonzales clarified he had not been in contact with Santos-Aviles since June 2024, months before her death in September 2025. “I had absolutely nothing to do with her tragic passing, and in fact, I was shocked just as much as everyone else,” he remarked.
Gonzales has since reconciled with his wife and looks forward to the Ethics Committee’s findings, which GOP leadership has urged to be expedited.
Under House ethics guidelines, sexual relationships with employees under a lawmaker’s supervision are prohibited, adding another layer of complexity to Gonzales’ situation.
