Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas says he will retire after
bipartisan calls for expulsion
[April 14, 2026]
By KEVIN FREKING
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas said Monday he
will retire from Congress after bipartisan calls to expel him.
Gonzales had already said he would not seek reelection after admitting
to an affair with a staff member who had later died by suicide. His
retirement announcement came just hours after Democratic Rep. Eric
Swalwell of California said he would be resigning from Congress as he
also confronted allegations of sexual misconduct.
House Republican leaders had already called on the three-term Gonzales
to not seek reelection as they try to hold on to a strongly Republican
district in November's midterm elections. And the House Ethics Committee
had initiated an investigation. Under House ethics rules, lawmakers may
not engage in a sexual relationship with any employee of the House under
their supervision.
“There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all,”
Gonzales said in a social media post. “When Congress returns tomorrow, I
will file my retirement from office.”
He said it has been a privilege “to serve the great people of Texas.” He
gave no further details on his plans to step down. Previously, he had
insisted he would serve out the remainder of his term as the GOP works
to hold its slim House majority.
Last month, the top Republican and Democratic members on the House
Ethics Committee said in a joint statement that an investigative panel
would look into whether Gonzales engaged in sexual misconduct toward an
employee in his office and whether he discriminated unfairly by
dispensing special favors or privileges.
That announcement came the same day that Gonzales, appearing on the “Joe
Pags Show,” was asked if he had a relationship with the aide, Regina Ann
Santos-Aviles.
“I made a mistake and I had a lapse in judgment, and there was a lack of
faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions,” Gonzales said.
[to top of second column]
|
Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, is seen before the flag-draped casket
bearing the remains of Hershel W. "Woody" Williams lies in honor in
the U.S. Capitol, July 14, 2022, in Washington. (Tom Williams/Pool
photo via AP, File)
Gonzales went on to say he had reconciled with his wife and had
asked God to forgive him. He also said he looked forward to the
Ethics Committee investigation.
But as lawmakers returned from a two-week break on Monday, there was
a growing clamor among members to take a stand against alleged
sexual misconduct. Swalwell's alleged transgressions brought renewed
attention to the issue.
Comments from lawmakers on social media suggested some were open to
an expulsion trade-off of sorts that would affect each party
equally.
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., said both Gonzales and Swalwell
“are not fit to serve in Congress given their sexual transgressions
against women who work for them.”
“There’s already been a resolution announced to expel Swalwell that
I will support. I will introduce a resolution to expel Rep.
Gonzales,” Leger Fernandez said.
In a separate post that came after the Texas lawmaker made his
retirement announcement, she challenged Gonzales to make it
"effective immediately.”
“He has until 2PM tomorrow — when we will file his expulsion,” she
said on X.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
