Texas Congressman Drops Reelection Bid After Affair Scandal

Congressman Ends Campaign Amid Ethics Investigation

Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas announced late Thursday he was withdrawing from his reelection race, after having admitted an affair with a former staff member who later died by suicide . The decision came just hours after House Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP leaders publicly called for him to end his 2026 campaign , though they stopped short of demanding his resignation.

"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 late Thursday to X . The embattled congressman said he will serve out the rest of his term , a decision crucial for House Republicans who can only afford a single defection to pass bills on party-line votes.

The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation Wednesday to examine whether Gonzales "engaged in sexual misconduct" with an employee or "discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges" . The committee did not open an investigation earlier due to the panel's rules about taking actions against members within 60 days before an election .

Tragic Details Behind the Scandal

The former aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, was Gonzales' Uvalde district director . Santos-Aviles died in September 2025 after setting herself on fire . Reports indicated that Santos-Aviles' pay spiked in 2024, the same year she allegedly had an affair with Gonzales .

Her husband, Adrian Aviles, shared alleged exchanges between her and her boss with news outlets last week . The reported text messages from 2024 show Gonzales pushing conversations with Santos-Aviles in a sexual direction, despite her attempts to deter him . Gonzales admitted the affair in a Wednesday interview with conservative talk show host Joe Pags, saying he "made a mistake" and had a "lapse in judgment" .

Gonzales has said Aviles tried to blackmail him and profit off Santos-Aviles' death . However, Santos-Aviles' husband's attorney said that the healing process can now begin , stating he was "happy the truth has come out."

Political Ramifications and Primary Fallout

Gonzales was set to face Brandon Herrera in a May 26 runoff election, a rematch of a race Gonzales narrowly won in 2024 . Herrera, a gun rights activist and YouTuber challenging the more moderate incumbent from his right, will now be the Republican nominee in the sprawling border district .

While Gonzales received more early and absentee votes, Herrera outperformed Gonzales on election day, suggesting that news of the scandal was resonating with voters . "I appreciate Tony Gonzales for making the appropriate decision," Herrera said in his statement .

Gonzales had voted for a bipartisan gun safety bill in the wake of the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, which he represents; that vote has been a flashpoint in each of the last two primaries . Despite his border security advocacy and role in organizing the push to impeach former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the scandal ultimately derailed his political career.

What This Means for Congress

The House has a historically narrow margin and currently GOP leaders can only afford a single defection from their ranks to pass bills on a party-line vote . Gonzales' decision to serve out the rest of his term will be crucial for House Republicans, who have been bleeding members this Congress .

Whether the Ethics Committee's probe results will be published depends on when it is completed, as the committee investigates only sitting lawmakers and could halt abruptly when Gonzales' term ends . This case highlights the ongoing challenges facing Congress with workplace conduct issues and the delicate balance between accountability and political pragmatism in a closely divided chamber.