Republican Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales announced he will resign from Congress on Monday.
In March, the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into Gonzales over allegations of sexual misconduct involving a staff member and claims that he improperly granted preferential treatment within his congressional office. Gonzales took to X to announce his decision to step down.
There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all. When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office. It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas.
— Rep. Tony Gonzales (@RepTonyGonzales) April 13, 2026
“There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all. When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office. It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas,” Gonzales wrote.
Multiple reports note that the allegations circulated for months before formal action escalated, during which House Republican leadership did not immediately move to strip committee roles, force resignation, or publicly discipline him beyond general calls for due process and for Gonzales to address the matter. Speaker Mike Johnson publicly acknowledged the allegations as serious early on and said Gonzales needed to respond, but he did not initially endorse removal or internal punishment while the ethics process remained pending.
Republicans control the House with roughly 218 seats—the minimum needed for a majority—against about 213 to 214 Democrats. With such a narrow margin, leadership has factored in the political cost of losing a seat, as even a single vacancy or expulsion could further shift the balance of power in the chamber.
A poll in February reported declining support for Gonzales, with a majority of Republican primary voters expressing an unfavorable view of him amid an alleged affair. The Pi Polling survey of 543 likely GOP primary voters, conducted Feb. 18–20, said 54% viewed Gonzales negatively. (RELATED: Death Of Congressional Staffer For Republican Texas Rep Under Investigation)
In March, Gonzales dropped his reelection bid, one day after he acknowledged having an affair with a staffer who later died after setting herself on fire. He announced on X that he made the decision “after deep reflection” and with his family’s support. His withdrawal followed a closely contested primary in which gun rights YouTuber Brandon Herrera forced a runoff by finishing ahead of Gonzales, setting up a May 26 election that Gonzales ultimately chose to exit before it took place.
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