Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales announced Monday that he is stepping down from Congress on Tuesday amid threats to expel him over an affair with a staffer.
“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 in a statement on X.
Last month, Gonzales dropped his reelection bid following calls from House Republican leadership to exit the race after he admitted to an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide. At the time, he remained committed to completing the remainder of his term, which was set to expire in January.
Because he is not pursuing a subsequent term, Gonzales’ decision to now seek “retirement” means he is leaving his current term early. It is unclear when exactly his departure from Congress will become effective.
Gonzales was expected to face an expulsion vote in Congress as soon as this week, which would have required a two-thirds majority to pass. Members on both sides of the aisle, including many prominent Republicans, have been vocal in demanding Gonzales’ expulsion or resignation.
Rep. Tony Gonzales speaks during a news conference about school safety enhancements at North East Independent School District in front of the new Wilshire Safety Training Center, Feb. 6, 2026.
Blaine Young/The San Antonio Express-News via AP
The embattled congressman’s announcement to step down had come just moments after Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell revealed his resignation amid allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.
Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who has spent recent weeks condemning Gonzales’ actions, expressed her approval for the congressman’s announcement Monday. “This was the right thing to do,” she wrote on X.
Democratic Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez is also demanding the Texas Republican’s resignation be effective “immediately.”
“He has until 2PM tomorrow—when we will file his expulsion. He better write that resignation “effective immediately,” she posted on X.
Last month, Gonzales admitted to having a relationship with his former staffer, Regina Santos Aviles, who died last September before the allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced — saying he “made a mistake” and “had a lapse in judgement.”
The House Ethics Committee had also launched an investigation into allegations that he “may have: (1) engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his congressional office; and/or (2) discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges.”
Just last week, Gonzales faced new allegations of inappropriate behavior towards a campaign staffer. The San Antonio Express Times reportedly obtained text messages between Gonzales and the political director of his 2020 congressional campaign which allegedly show Gonzales repeatedly asking for explicit photos.
ABC News had not independently confirmed the authenticity of the texts that surfaced last week, and Gonzales’ office did not respond to requests for comment.
Based on Texas state law, Gonzales’ congressional seat would likely be filled by a future special election determined by the governor. A spokesperson for Texas Gov. Greg Abbot did not immediately have guidance on the timing of a potential special election.
ABC News also reached out to the Texas Secretary of State’s office regarding the procedure for replacing a departing member of Congress but did not immediately receive a reply.
Gonzales has represented the 23rd district of Texas since 2021. Located in the San Antonio area, this district will see an election in November between Republican gun influencer Brandon Herrera and Democratic lawyer Katy Padilla Stout.
Gonzales and Herrera had previously been locked in a bitter battle for the Republican nomination for TX-23, advancing to a runoff election after neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote.
With both Gonzales and Swalwell expected to exit Congress, margins in the House of Representatives will remain slim. House Democrats will be down to 213 members, while Republicans will remain at 218 – including Independent Rep. Kevin Kiley who still conferences with Republicans, as well as the addition of Republican Rep. Clay Fuller of Georgia, who is expected to be sworn in on Tuesday.
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