Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales has announced he will resign from the US House of Representatives, days after admitting to an extramarital affair with a staffer who later died by suicide. The Texas representative said he would file his retirement papers when Congress returns on Tuesday, citing a divine plan.
Gonzales faced mounting pressure from colleagues after the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct towards an employee. His former aide, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, died by suicide in September 2025 at age 35. The congressman denied responsibility for her death, calling the affair a 'lapse in judgment'.
The scandal emerged following the release of text messages between Gonzales and Santos-Aviles, shared by her husband, in which the congressman allegedly requested a 'sexy pic' and she told him he was going 'too far'. Gonzales accused the lawyer representing the widow of attempting to extort money, while the lawyer maintained the claim was legitimate under workplace protections.
Gonzales had already ended his re-election campaign but initially planned to serve out his term. His departure follows a similar resignation by Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell, who stepped down amid multiple sexual assault allegations. Calls for Gonzales’s expulsion had been growing from both parties.
It remains unclear whether his resignation will take effect immediately. A spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. The ethics investigation was launched by bipartisan leaders after Gonzales publicly acknowledged the affair.
