Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, does a TV news interview in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026.
Bill Clark | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images
House Republican leaders on Thursday called on Rep. Tony Gonzales to drop his bid for reelection after the Texas Republican admitted to having an affair with a staff member.
The House Ethics Committee on Wednesday announced it was investigating Gonzales’ relationship with the aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, who died by suicide in September. Later on Wednesday, Gonzales went on a conservative radio show and for the first time admitted to the affair, calling it “a lapse in judgment.”
After Tuesday’s primary elections in Texas, Gonzales is heading to a runoff election in May against Brandon Herrera, who is challenging the incumbent from the right.
“Congressman Gonzales has said he will fully cooperate with the investigation. We have encouraged him to address these very serious allegations directly with his constituents and his colleagues,” Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., and House Republican Caucus Chair Lisa McClain, R-Mich., said in a joint statement.
“In the meantime, Leadership has asked Congressman Gonzales to withdraw from his race for re-election,” the statement continued.
Gonzales office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on Thursday.
Katy Padilla Stout, a Democrat running for Gonzales’ seat, won outright in her party’s primary on Tuesday and advanced to the November general election. The district is in southwestern Texas along the border with Mexico. Cook Political Report lists it as “Solid R.”
“I would like to thank Speaker Johnson and House leadership for holding Congressman Tony Gonzales accountable for actions that have tarnished the office,” Herrera said in a post to X on Thursday. “I’m looking forward to representing the district the way the people of West Texas have always deserved.”
