Tony Gonzales admits to affair, pulls out of race

DEL RIO, Texas — According to CNN, Tony Gonzales has announced he will withdraw from the race for reelection one day after admitting to having an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide. The three-term Republican, who represents the vast border district that includes Del Rio, said he will not seek another term but will continue serving in Congress until the end of his current term.

On Wednesday, an investigation into evidence of Gonzales initiating a sexual relationship with a staffer was announced by the House Ethics Committee. Soon after the announcement, Gonzales publicly admitted to the affair for the first time on a podcast.

“I take full responsibility for those actions,” Gonzales said on the Joe Pags Show on Wednesday, calling the affair a “mistake and a “lapse in judgement”.

The House Ethics Committee is investigating allegations of sexual misconduct committed by Gonzales. Engaging in a relationship with an employee under one’s supervision is a violation of House rules.

Gonzales’ decision to end his campaign reshapes the race to represent Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, which stretches across South and West Texas along the U.S.–Mexico border. Communities such as Del Rio rely on the district’s representative for federal attention on issues like border security, trade, and infrastructure.

With Gonzales out of the race, Republican challenger Brandon Herrera is expected to become the party’s nominee heading into the general election. Gonzales said he will continue representing the district until his term ends in 2027.