Tony Gonzales announces plans to quit Congress early
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Rep. Tony Gonzales at a news conference on Nov. 14, 2023. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas.) said he would seek to leave Congress early Tuesday amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
Why it matters: Gonzales was facing a push for his expulsion — along with bipartisan calls for him to step down — after admitting to an affair with a former staffer who died by suicide.
- "There is a season for everything, and God has a plan for us all. When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office. It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas," Gonzales said in a Monday night post on X.
- The announcement comes just after Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), who is also facing allegations of sexual harassment, announced he would resign from Congress.
- It was not immediately clear when exactly Gonzales would officially leave Congress.
Catch up quick: The House Ethics Committee formally launched an investigation into Gonzales last month for sexual misconduct.
- Relationships between members of Congress and their staff are prohibited under the House Code of Official Conduct.
- After initially denying the allegations, Gonzales admitted to having an affair with his former staffer in March, calling it a "lapse in judgement."
- He later announced that he would not seek reelection after Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and his House GOP leadership team called on him to drop out of the race.
- GOP leaders notably did not call on Gonzales to immediately step down.
Zoom in: Gonzales has been under intensifying scrutiny since the San Antonio Express-News reported that he had an affair with his former regional director, Regina Santos-Aviles.
- Santos-Aviles died last year after setting herself on fire outside her Uvalde home.
- Axios obtained copies of text messages between Gonzales and Santos-Aviles, from her husband, Adrian Aviles, who shared them in a message with his attorney copied on it.
- In one message from May 2024, Gonzales asked Santos-Aviles for a "sexy pic." Santos-Aviles later replied, "this is too far tony."
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
