Rep. Tony Gonzales says he will complete his current term but will not run for reelection after acknowledging an extramarital affair with a staffer who later died by self-immolation.
The Texas Republican made the announcement as scrutiny and calls for him to withdraw intensified from House leaders and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
Gonzales said he reached the decision after deep reflection and with the support of his family while pledging to serve the remainder of the Congress.
He added he intends to continue serving his district with the same commitment he has shown to constituents.
The move came after he fell short of 50 percent in the GOP primary and was headed toward a runoff.
Speaker Mike Johnson and other top Republicans publicly urged Gonzales to exit the race.
— Rep. Tony Gonzales (@RepTonyGonzales) March 6, 2026
Gonzales initially denied an affair but one day after the primary he acknowledged the relationship and described it as a mistake and a lapse in judgment.
He said he has reconciled with his wife Angel and has sought forgiveness through his faith.
The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation after the Office of Congressional Conduct reported substantial reason to believe an improper relationship occurred.
Johnson noted that marital infidelity is not a crime while also recognizing that an affair with a subordinate violates House rules and warrants review.
Responses and Fallout
Republicans such as Reps. Nancy Mace and Anna Paulina Luna demanded accountability and criticized both the conduct and the institution’s handling of the matter.
Democrats, including Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, said the behavior would have led to termination and an investigation in any other workplace.
Gonzales had trailed conservative YouTuber Brandon Herrera in the primary, setting up a runoff that became unnecessary after the withdrawal.
Herrera praised Speaker Johnson for urging Gonzales to step aside and said the congressman had tarnished the office.
Reports and released messages included sexually explicit exchanges in which Gonzales requested inappropriate photos and discussed sexual preferences.
