Republican leadership in the Lower House has called on Rep. Tony Gonzales to withdraw from his congressional race over the affair with an aide who later committed suicide.
In a brief message, House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Chairwoman of the Conference Lisa McClain noted that the House Ethics Committee has announced an investigation into Gonzales' actions, adding that they have "encouraged him to address these very serious allegations directly with his constituents and colleagues."
"In the meantime, Leadership has asked Congressman Gonzales to withdraw from his race for re-election," the statement ends.
Breaking: House Republican leaders say they’ve “asked Congressman Gonzales to withdraw from his race for re-election.” #TX23 pic.twitter.com/q3cJMepvLz
— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) March 5, 2026
Mike Johnson had avoided anticipating the decision on Thursday, saying he had told Gonzales to "be forthright."
The House Ethics Committee announced on Wednesday that it has launched an investigation to determine if the lawmaker "engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his congressional office" and "discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges."
The announcement was made after Gonzales moved to a runoff against challenger Brandon Herrera, who has called on him to resign over the matter.
Authorities said Regina Santos-Aviles poured gasoline on herself outside her home on September 13, 2025, and died the next day at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. The Bexar County Medical Examiner ruled her death a suicide, and police said surveillance video showed she was alone and that there was no evidence of foul play.
Gonzales initially addressed allegations by saying he would not resign and people didn't "know all the facts" about what happened.
Gonzales ended up acknowledging having the affair with Regina Ann Santos-Aviles. Speaking on "The Joe Pags Show," he said he "made a mistake."
"I had a lapse in judgment, and there was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions," Gonzales said. "Since then, I've reconciled with my wife, Angel. I've asked God to forgive me, which he has, and my faith is as strong as ever."
At least four House Republicans have slammed Gonzales. Rep. Lauren Boebert called him a "disgusting pig" and said Mike Johnson should do something about it.
Santos-Aviles' ex-husband, Adrian Aviles, said he discovered the alleged relationship in May 2024 when he saw his wife texting Gonzales and later found messages he described as "very sexual in nature." He said the relationship had lasted two to three weeks at that point. Aviles said he later contacted Gonzales and members of his staff to say he knew about the relationship and intended to make it public, after which, he claimed, his wife was marginalized at work.
Aviles ended up releasing the texts, which which detail that Gonzales asked Santos Aviles for "sexy" pictures of her and asked her about her favorite sexual positions.
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