Representative Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas, announced on Monday he would step down from Congress after acknowledging an extramarital affair with a staffer who later died by suicide. Gonzales, facing a growing expulsion threat, wrote on X: “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.”
Gonzales admitted last month to an affair with Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, an aide who died by suicide in September 2025 at age 35. His admission came after the House ethics committee opened an investigation into whether he had engaged in sexual misconduct toward an employee. Bipartisan leaders said the panel would also examine potential discriminatory practices.
In a media interview, Gonzales said he had “absolutely nothing to do with her tragic passing” and had not spoken with her for a year before her death. “I made a mistake – I had a lapse in judgment and it was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility,” he stated. After the allegations became public, he ended his re-election campaign but had planned to serve out his term. It remains unclear if his retirement is effective immediately.
Following Santos-Aviles’s death, her husband shared text messages allegedly showing Gonzales asking for a “sexy pic” and that she had said he was going “too far.” Gonzales did not comment on the texts but accused the family’s lawyer of trying to “shake me down” for money. The lawyer said his client had a legitimate claim under the Congressional Accountability Act.
Gonzales’s departure follows fellow Representative Eric Swalwell’s resignation after multiple sexual assault allegations. Democratic Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez had introduced a resolution to expel both men, stating they were “not fit to serve.” Republican Anna Paulina Luna also said she would vote to expel Gonzales.
