U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-San Antonio) is dropping his reelection bid, amid an investigation into his relationship with a former staffer who died by suicide.
Gonzales admitted to the affair earlier this week, and faced pressure from top Republican leaders who urged him to withdraw his candidacy while the U.S. House Ethics Committee looks into the matter.
“After deep reflection and with the support of my loving family, I have decided not to seek reelection while serving out the rest of this Congress with the same commitment I’ve always had to my district,” Gonzales said in a statement late Thursday evening. “Through the rest of my term, I will continue fighting for my constituents, for whom I am eternally grateful.”
The Texas Tribune reported earlier on Thursday that GOP leadership said they had urged the House Ethics Committee, a congressional watchdog, to “act expeditiously” and that Gonzales “said he will fully cooperate with the investigation.” House rules prohibit members from having a sexual relationship or engaging in unwelcome sexual advances with their staffers.
Details of the affair became public just as early voting for the March 3 primary was beginning.
On election night Gonzales finished second in a four-way GOP primary, behind YouTuber Brandon Herrera, who he would have faced in a runoff.
Gonzales’ decision sets up an interesting race between the 30-year-old Herrera, who is best-known for his firearm-focused YouTube channel, and Democrat Katy Padilla Stout, a San Antonio attorney who serves on the Bexar County Child Welfare Board.
The 23rd Congressional District hasn’t been competitive for Democrats since it was redrawn after the 2020 census, but the party has been once again looking at it after rumors of Gonzales’ affair first started circulating last fall.
