Rep. Tony Gonzales Resigns From Congress Amid Explosive Misconduct Scandal

Tony Gonzales announced he will resign from Congress, bringing a sudden end to his tenure following a major scandal involving alleged inappropriate relationships with staffers.

Gonzales said he would formally file his retirement when Congress reconvenes, describing his time in office as a “privilege” to serve Texas. His departure comes after he had already withdrawn from his re-election bid amid growing backlash.

The controversy centers on allegations that Gonzales engaged in an affair with a subordinate and sent inappropriate messages to multiple staffers. One of those individuals, Regina Santos-Aviles, later died after setting herself on fire in 2025, a tragic development that intensified scrutiny surrounding the situation.

Reports indicate that Gonzales admitted to the affair, while additional allegations surfaced claiming he made repeated inappropriate advances toward another staff member in earlier years. The scandal triggered a formal investigation by the House Ethics Committee, which is expected to close following his resignation.

Lawmakers from both parties had begun taking action in response to the allegations. Teresa Leger Fernández signaled plans to introduce a resolution to expel Gonzales, while Anna Paulina Luna expressed support for similar disciplinary efforts in Congress.

Gonzales’ resignation follows closely behind the departure of Eric Swalwell, who also stepped down amid separate allegations of sexual misconduct. The near-simultaneous exits mark a rare moment of upheaval in the House.

Despite the back-to-back resignations, the balance of power in Congress is not expected to shift significantly, as both lawmakers represented districts aligned with their respective parties.

The developments underscore mounting pressure within Congress to address misconduct allegations swiftly, as leadership and rank-and-file members alike respond to growing public scrutiny.