Summary
Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales decided not to run for re-election after admitting to having an affair with a staff member who later died by suicide. Republican leaders in Congress encouraged him to end his campaign and an ethics investigation is looking into whether Gonzales engaged in sexual misconduct.
Key Facts
- Tony Gonzales, a Republican congressman from Texas, admitted to an affair with a staff member.
- The staff member, Regina Santos-Aviles, died by suicide in September 2025.
- Gonzales announced he would not seek re-election following pressure from senior Republican leaders.
- An ethics investigation is underway to determine if Gonzales engaged in sexual misconduct.
- Gonzales previously called the allegations against him a "blackmail" attempt.
- The Republican leaders released a statement urging Gonzales to address the allegations with voters and colleagues.
- Gonzales publicly stated that the affair was unrelated to Santos-Aviles' death.
