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Editor’s Note: This article addresses sensitive topics, including suicide. Please proceed with caution. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, support is available through local resources or by calling the National Crisis Line at 988.
Representative Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas, has publicly acknowledged having an extramarital affair with a member of his congressional staff. The staffer tragically passed away last year after setting herself on fire.
Facing growing pressure and allegations regarding the affair, Gonzales spoke candidly during an interview with conservative talk show host Joe Pags. He described the relationship as a “mistake” and admitted to a “lapse in judgment.”
The House Ethics Committee has initiated an investigation into Gonzales following these allegations.
“I accept full responsibility for my actions,” Gonzales stated. “Since then, I’ve worked to reconcile with my wife, Angel. I’ve sought forgiveness from God, which I believe I have received, and my faith remains unwavering. Mistakes like these are deeply humbling, but it’s essential to work through them,” he added.
“I take full responsibility for those actions. 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. When you make mistakes like this, you know it’s never easy. It humbles you, but it’s important to kind of work through it all,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales did not receive enough votes in Tuesday’s Texas primary to win reelection outright and will head to a runoff in May against YouTuber Brandon Herrera.
The San Antonio Express-News last month reported that the staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, wrote to another staffer in April: “I had an affair with our boss and I’m fine.” Text messages said to be extracted from Santos-Aviles’s phone provided by her widower to media outlets, including The Hill, appear to show Gonzales soliciting sexual material from Santos-Aviles as she said he was going too far.
It is against the House’s code of conduct for members to have a sexual relationship with a staff member. The House Ethics Committee announced on Wednesday that it had opened an investigation into Gonzales.
The panel said in a statement that it voted to establish an investigative subcommittee to examine whether Gonzales “violated the Code of Official Conduct or any law, rule, regulation, or other applicable standard of conduct in the performance of his duties or the discharge of his responsibilities, with respect to 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.”
Gonzales told Pags that he looks forward to the Ethics Committee starting an investigation.
“I appreciate the opportunity to be able to provide all the facts and all the details that lead to exactly what occurred in the entire situation,” he said.