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Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, introduced Thursday night he is not going to search re-election amid a Home Ethics investigation into an affair he admitted to having with a former staffer.
Gonzales, a married father of 6, admitted to the affair for the primary time throughout an look on a conservative speak radio present on Wednesday – a day after advancing to the GOP major runoff for his congressional district.
“At 18, I swore an oath to defend our nation towards all enemies, international and home. Throughout my 20 years within the navy and three phrases in Congress, I’ve fought for that trigger with absolute dedication to the nation that I really like,” Gonzales stated in a press release.
“From overcoming the border disaster to taking a stand with my communities after the worst faculty taking pictures in Texas’ historical past, my philosophy has by no means modified: do as a lot as you possibly can, and at all times struggle for the better good,” he continued.
Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, arrives for a press convention within the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (Invoice Clark/CQ-Roll Name, Inc through Getty Photographs)
“After deep reflection and with the assist of my loving household, I’ve determined to not search re-election whereas serving out the remainder of this Congress with the identical dedication I’ve at all times needed to my district,” he added. “By means of the remainder of my time period, I’ll proceed combating for my constituents, for whom I’m eternally grateful.”
“I made a mistake, and I had a lapse in judgment, and there was an absence of religion, and I take full duty for these actions,” he stated on “The Joe Pags Present” Wednesday night time. “Since then, I’ve reconciled with my spouse, Angel. I’ve requested God to forgive me, which he has, and my religion is as robust as ever.”
The Home Ethics Committee additionally launched an investigation into Gonzales on Wednesday to find out if he engaged in sexual misconduct with a feminine member of his workers and whether or not he doled out particular favors or privileges consequently.
The previous staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, died after setting herself on fireplace exterior her house late final 12 months.
MIKE JOHNSON ASKS EMBATTLED HOUSE REPUBLICAN TONY GONZALES TO DROP RE-ELECTION BID
Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, is seen within the U.S. Capitol earlier than the Home voted to maintain the federal government funded into March, on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc through Getty Photographs)
Home GOP leaders referred to as on the embattled consultant to drop his re-election bid.
“The Ethics Committee has introduced an investigation into Congressman Tony Gonzales’s conduct, and we urge them to behave expeditiously. Congressman Gonzales has stated he’ll absolutely cooperate with the investigation,” Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and different prime Republicans stated in a press release this week.
“We now have inspired him to deal with these very critical allegations instantly together with his constituents and his colleagues. Within the meantime, Management has requested Congressman Gonzales to withdraw from his race for re-election,” they added.
Speaker of the Home Mike Johnson, R-La., and different prime Republicans inspired Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, to withdraw his re-election marketing campaign amid a Home Ethics investigation into the affair. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photograph)
Gonzales’ departure paves the way in which for challenger Brandon Herrera to take the nomination. Herrera narrowly edged Gonzales by a 43.33% – 41.73% margin in Texas’ GOP major for the twenty third congressional district on Tuesday, inflicting a runoff as a consequence of neither candidate incomes 50% of the vote.
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Herrera referred to as his opponent’s withdrawal from the race the “applicable resolution.”
“I recognize Tony Gonzales for making the suitable resolution,” Herrera wrote on X. “I look ahead to being the voice of TX23 that our district deserves. From the border, to grease theft, water rights, information facilities, and plenty of different points. It’s an honor to be chosen and collectively we’ll make Texas proud.”
Gonzales initially stated he wouldn’t step down within the face of the accusations, telling reporters in late February “what you’ve seen shouldn’t be all of the info.”
Fox Information Digital’s Anders Hagstrom and Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
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