Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, announced Thursday evening that he will not seek re-election as he faces a House Ethics Committee investigation tied to an affair he acknowledged with a former staff member.
The decision came a day after Gonzales advanced to a GOP primary runoff for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District. The longtime lawmaker publicly addressed the situation earlier this week during an appearance on a conservative talk radio program, where he admitted to the relationship.
Gonzales, a married father of six, confirmed the affair during an interview Wednesday night on “The Joe Pags Show.” His comments marked the first time he had publicly acknowledged the relationship.
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“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 on “The Joe Pags Show” Wednesday night. “Since then, I’ve reconciled with my wife, Angel. I’ve asked God to forgive me, which he has, and my faith is as strong as ever.”
Later Thursday, Gonzales released a written statement announcing that he would not seek another term in Congress.
“At 18, I swore an oath to defend our nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic. During my 20 years in the military and three terms in Congress, I have fought for that cause with absolute dedication to the country that I love,” Gonzales said in the statement.
“From overcoming the border crisis to taking a stand with my communities after the worst school shooting in Texas’ history, my philosophy has never changed: do as much as you can, and always fight for the greater good,” he continued.
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Gonzales said he would complete the remainder of his current term in office.
“After deep reflection and with the support of my loving family, I have decided not to seek re-election while serving out the rest of this Congress with the same commitment I’ve always had to my district,” he added.
“Through the rest of my term, I will continue fighting for my constituents, for whom I am eternally grateful.”
— Rep. Tony Gonzales (@RepTonyGonzales) March 6, 2026
The House Ethics Committee announced Wednesday that it had opened an investigation into Gonzales.
The probe is intended to determine whether the congressman engaged in sexual misconduct with a female member of his staff and whether any special favors or privileges were granted as a result.
The former staffer involved in the investigation, Regina Santos-Aviles, died late last year after setting herself on fire outside her home.
House Republican leadership issued a statement earlier this week addressing the investigation and urging Gonzales to step aside from the race.
“The Ethics Committee has announced an investigation into Congressman Tony Gonzales’s conduct, and we urge them to act expeditiously. Congressman Gonzales has said he will fully cooperate with the investigation,” Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and other top Republicans said in a statement.
“We have encouraged him to address these very serious allegations directly with his constituents and his colleagues. In the meantime, Leadership has asked Congressman Gonzales to withdraw from his race for re-election,” they added.
Gonzales had previously said he would not step aside from the race despite the allegations.
In late February, he told reporters that “what you’ve seen is not all the facts.”
The congressman’s decision to step away from the race comes shortly after the results of Tuesday’s Republican primary in Texas’ 23rd District.
Gonzales and challenger Brandon Herrera advanced to a runoff after neither candidate secured more than 50 percent of the vote.
Herrera finished slightly ahead of the incumbent in the primary contest, receiving 43.33 percent of the vote compared with Gonzales’ 41.73 percent.
The result triggered a runoff between the two candidates.
With Gonzales now stepping out of the race, Herrera is positioned to take the Republican nomination for the district.
Herrera responded to the announcement in a message posted on X.
“I appreciate Tony Gonzales for making the appropriate decision,” Herrera wrote on X. “I look forward to being the voice of TX23 that our district deserves. From the border, to oil theft, water rights, data centers, and many other issues. It’s an honor to be chosen and together we will make Texas proud.”
I appreciate Tony Gonzales for making the appropriate decision.
I look forward to being the voice of TX23 that our district deserves. From the border, to oil theft, water rights, data centers, and many other issues.
It’s an honor to be chosen and together we will make Texas… https://t.co/oJMXtmwHSq
— Brandon Herrera (@TheAKGuy) March 6, 2026
Texas’ 23rd Congressional District stretches along a large portion of the U.S.-Mexico border and has been a politically competitive district in recent election cycles.
Gonzales has represented the district for three terms after first being elected to Congress in 2020.
The House Ethics Committee investigation remains ongoing. Gonzales said he will continue serving his current term in Congress while the probe proceeds.
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