House Republican leadership is calling on Republican Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales to drop his reelection bid just hours after the lawmaker admitted to having an affair with his aide who took her own life in September 2025.
Gonzales, a married father of six, confessed to having a relationship with Regina Santos-Aviles, his married former aide who committed suicide by setting herself on fire, Wednesday night on “Unshaken and Unafraid with Joe Page” podcast. The night before, the three-term lawmaker was forced into a primary runoff with gun rights YouTuber Brandon Herrera, which is scheduled for May 26.
“The Ethics Committee has announced an investigation into Congressman Tony Gonzales’s conduct, and we urge them to act expeditiously,” Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Salise, Whip Tom Emmer and Chairwoman Lisa McClain wrote in a joint statement. “Congressman Gonzales has said he will fully cooperate with the investigation. We have encouraged him to address these very serious allegations directly with his constituents and his colleagues. In the meantime, Leadership has asked Congressman Gonzales to withdraw from his race for re-election.”
The House Ethics Committee launched an investigation into the allegations the morning after Gonzales’ primary election.
“I made a mistake and I had a lapse in judgement,” Gonzales said on the podcast, adding he has “reconciled” with his wife and asked God for forgiveness.
President Donald Trump has not yet pulled his endorsement of Gonzales from before the scandal broke.
All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- Democrat Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick guilty of violating 25 House rules, ethics panel finds - March 27, 2026
- Democrat rep entrenched in embezzlement scandal faces expulsion threats in 7-hour hearing - March 27, 2026
- Democrats logjam DHS funding over demands for agency excluded from proposed deal - March 26, 2026
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!
