Congressman Tony Gonzalez (R-Texas) gives a television news interview at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Bill Clark | CQ-Roll Call Inc. | Getty Images
House Republican leaders on Thursday called on Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzalez to withdraw his bid for re-election after he admitted to having an affair with a staffer.
The House Ethics Committee announced Wednesday that it is investigating Gonzalez’s relationship with aide Regina Santos-Aviles, who committed suicide in September. Later Wednesday, Gonzalez appeared on a conservative radio show and admitted for the first time that he had had an affair, saying it was a “misjudgment.”
After Tuesday’s Texas primary, Gonzalez will face a May runoff against right-wing incumbent Brandon Herrera.
“Congressman Gonzalez has said he will fully cooperate with the investigation. We encourage him to address these very serious allegations directly with his constituents and colleagues,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana), Majority Leader Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), and House Republican Caucus Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) said in a joint statement.
“In the meantime, leadership has asked Congressman Gonzalez to withdraw from his campaign for re-election,” the statement continued.
Gonzalez’s office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Thursday.
Democrat Katie Padilla Stout, who is running for Gonzalez’s seat, won the party’s primary Tuesday by a landslide, advancing to the general election in November. This area is located in southwestern Texas, along the border with Mexico. The Cook Political Report describes it as “Solid R.”
“I want to thank Speaker Johnson and the House leadership for holding Rep. Tony Gonzalez accountable for his actions that desecrated the Office of the President,” Herrera said in a post on X on Thursday. “I look forward to representing the district in the way that the people of West Texas always deserve.”
