Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) has withdrawn from his reelection campaign following revelations about an affair with a former staff member whose death in 2025 drew national attention.
Gonzales, a Republican representing Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, announced late Thursday that he would no longer seek another term in Congress after acknowledging a sexual relationship with a former aide who later died by suicide.
In a statement posted on social media, Gonzales said he would still complete the remainder of his current term.
“Through the rest of my term, I will continue fighting for my constituents, for whom I am eternally grateful,” he wrote.
— Rep. Tony Gonzales (@RepTonyGonzales) March 6, 2026
The decision comes days after Gonzales advanced to a runoff in the March 3 Republican primary against Brandon Herrera. The primary results placed Herrera ahead with 43.33% of the vote to Gonzales’ 41.73%, setting up a runoff election scheduled for May 26.
Questions surrounding Gonzales intensified in recent weeks after text messages surfaced that allegedly showed communications between the congressman and his former staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles.
Santos-Aviles died in September 2025 after authorities found her on fire outside her home, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Republican leaders in the House of Representatives had previously urged Gonzales to end his reelection campaign following the disclosure of the messages and the launch of an ethics inquiry.
The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation on March 4 into Gonzales’ conduct while in office.
Gonzales publicly acknowledged the relationship during an interview on the Joe Pags Show earlier this week. “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. He also said the relationship had no connection to Santos-Aviles’ death and cited a police report that allegedly pointed to other personal challenges in her life.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, text messages between Gonzales and Santos-Aviles allegedly showed the two discussing a meeting while Gonzales was traveling on the campaign trail and included requests for explicit photos.
The investigation by the House Ethics Committee is ongoing.
Gonzales said in his statement that he plans to cooperate with investigators while continuing to serve the remainder of his term in Congress.
For more in-depth prior coverage on this story, see these reports from The Dallas Express:
- “I Don’t Want To Die”: Congressional Staffer Dies After Being Found On Fire Outside Uvalde Home
- Text Message: Gonzales Staffer Allegedly Admitted Affair Months Before Self-Immolation Death
- Rep. Gonzales Scandal: “I Will Not Be Blackmailed” vs. “You’re A Two-Faced Politician”
- Affair Texts, Staffer Death, Ethics Probe: House Republicans Urge Tony Gonzales To End Reelection Bid
