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On Thursday, Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) announced he will not pursue reelection, following mounting pressure from Republican leaders and colleagues. This decision comes in the wake of revelations about his affair with a staff member who tragically died by suicide.
Gonzales confirmed that he plans to fulfill his duties until the end of his current term.
“After careful consideration and with the unwavering support of my family, I have chosen not to run for another term,” Gonzales stated late Thursday. “I remain dedicated to serving my district with the same passion and commitment throughout the remainder of my time in Congress. I am profoundly thankful to my constituents for their support.”
In his announcement, Gonzales did not address the affair directly.
His exit from the race paves the way for Brandon Herrera, a YouTuber and firearms manufacturer backed by the House Freedom Caucus’s political arm, to become the Republican nominee for Texas’s 23rd Congressional District. Gonzales was scheduled to compete against Herrera in a runoff in May following a primary on Tuesday. The Cook Political Report has classified this district as Solidly Republican.
Gonzales did not mention the affair in a statement announcing his withdrawal from the race.
The decision means that Gonzales’s challenger Brandon Herrera, a YouTuber and firearms manufacturer endorsed by the political arm of the House Freedom Caucus, will be the Republican nominee for Texas’s 23rd Congressional district. After a Tuesday primary, Gonzales was set to face Herrera in a runoff in May. The Cook Political Report rates the district as Solidly Republican.
Earlier on Thursday, the top four House GOP leaders, led by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), called on Gonzales to withdraw from his reelection race.
Gonzales admitted in an interview with conservative talk show host Joe Pags that the affair occurred, saying that he “made a mistake” and had a “lapse in judgement.” But in that interview, he resisted calls to resign or end his campaign for reelection.
The House Ethics Committee officially opened an investigation into Gonzales on Wednesday to examine allegations that he violated the House’s code of conduct, which prohibits members from having sexual relationships with staff.
It opened the investigation the day after Gonzales’s primary in Texas. The committee did not open an investigation earlier due to the panel’s rules about taking actions against members within 60 days before an election.
Gonzales went over the highlights of his congressional career in the statement.
“At 18, I swore an oath to defend our nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic. During my 20 years in the military and three terms in Congress, I have fought for that cause with absolute dedication to the country that I love,” he said.
“From overcoming the border crisis to taking a stand with my communities after the worst school shooting in Texas’ history, my philosophy has never changed: Do as much as you can, and always fight for the greater good.”