Texas Republican congressman Tony Gonzales has announced he will not seek re-election after admitting to an affair with a staff member, reversing earlier denials and intensifying political pressure from his party.
The decision came days after senior Republican leaders in Congress publicly urged him to withdraw from the race, while lawmakers prepared to open an ethics investigation into the allegations.
In a statement posted on X, Gonzales said he had decided to step aside following discussions with his family.
“After deep reflection and with the support of my loving family, I have decided not to seek re-election,” he said.
The controversy escalated earlier in the week when Gonzales confirmed that he had been involved in a relationship with Regina Santos-Aviles, a married staff member. His admission marked a reversal from his earlier position, when he had dismissed the accusations as “blackmail” and a “co-ordinated” attempt to force him out of office.
Hours before Gonzales acknowledged the relationship, the US House Ethics Committee announced it was launching an investigation to determine whether the congressman had engaged in sexual misconduct involving an employee.
The investigation has intensified scrutiny of the lawmaker, particularly as the allegations involve a subordinate staff member a situation that can raise ethical and professional concerns within Congress.
Political pressure also mounted from the top ranks of Republican leadership. In a rare joint statement, Mike Johnson, Steve Scalise, Tom Emmer, and Lisa McClain said Gonzales should address the allegations directly with both his colleagues and the voters he represents.
“We have encouraged him to address these very serious allegations directly with his constituents and his colleagues,” the Republican leaders said in their statement on Thursday.
The controversy has also drawn attention because Regina Santos-Aviles died in September 2025 near her home in Uvalde, Texas. According to authorities, she set herself on fire, and the medical examiner ruled the death a suicide.
Gonzales has insisted that her death was unrelated to their relationship. Speaking in an interview with conservative podcaster Joe Pags, the congressman said he was shocked by the incident and denied any connection between the affair and her death.
“I had absolutely nothing to do with her tragic passing,” Gonzales said. “And, in fact, I was shocked just as much as everyone else.”
He also claimed that Santos-Aviles had been doing well professionally before her death, saying she was “thriving” in her role at work.
The scandal unfolded as Gonzales was already facing political challenges ahead of the upcoming US mid-term elections. Days before announcing he would drop out of the race, he had failed to secure strong voter support for his party’s nomination.
With the ethics investigation now underway and pressure mounting within his party, Gonzales’ decision to abandon his re-election campaign marks a dramatic turn in the political career of the Texas lawmaker.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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