Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas dropped his reelection bid on Thursday, after acknowledging a “lapse in judgment” related to allegations he had an affair with a former staffer who later died by suicide.
“After deep reflection and with the support of my loving family, I have decided not to seek reelection while serving out the rest of this Congress with the same commitment I’ve always had to my district,” Gonzales said in a statement on X.
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Gonzales was set to face off against YouTuber and gun rights activist Brandon Herrera in May in a primary runoff for Texas 23rd’ congressional seat, after the two candidates each fell short of 50% in the Republican primary earlier this week.
Gonzales did not address the allegations leveled against him regarding his late former staffer Regina Ann Santos-Aviles in his statement, but he spoke briefly about it on Wednesday in conversation with conservative radio host Joe Pags.
“I made a mistake. I had a lapse in judgment. There was a lack of faith. And I take full responsibility for those actions,” Gonzales said when asked if he had a relationship with “this young lady who was working in your office.” Gonzales added that since the affair, he has “reconciled” with his wife and “asked God to forgive me, which He has.”
House Republican leaders had urged Gonzales on Thursday to abandon his reelection bid following his admission, and the House Ethics Committee launched an investigation into him over potential violations of the code of conduct, which he said he welcomed.
Other Republican lawmakers have called on Gonzales to resign, which he has previously resisted.
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