Representative Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas, announced on Monday he was stepping down from Congress after acknowledging an extramarital affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.
Gonzales, who was facing a growing threat of expulsion by his colleagues, admitted last month that he had an affair with an aide. The former staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, died by suicide in September 2025 at her home in Uvalde, Texas, at age 35.
“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 wrote on X.
His announcement came hours after Eric Swalwell, a Democratic representative, said he was resigning from Congress following multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. Before his resignation, Swalwell had suspended his campaign for governor of California.
Gonzales spoke publicly of the affair after the House ethics committee opened an investigation into his conduct. Bipartisan leaders of that committee said at the time that a panel would investigate whether the congressman had engaged in sexual misconduct toward one of his employees and whether he had engaged in discriminatory practices.
After the allegations became public last month, Gonzales announced he was ending his re-election campaign but said he would serve out the rest of his term. It is unclear if his retirement would be effective immediately this week.
