Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) has dropped his re-election bid amid pressure from House GOP leadership to exit the race.
“After deep reflection and with the support of my loving family, I have decided not to seek re-election while serving out the rest of this Congress with the same commitment I’ve always had to my district,” Gonzales said.
“Through the rest of my term, I will continue fighting for my constituents, for whom I am eternally grateful,” he added.
— Rep. Tony Gonzales (@RepTonyGonzales) March 6, 2026
More from The Texas Tribune:
The third-term congressman admitted the affair on Wednesday, the day after he finished second to challenger Brandon Herrera in the Republican primary for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District. Gonzales initially denied rumors of the affair, and resisted calls to drop out or resign after the San Antonio Express-News published a text in which the aide acknowledged the affair. Explicit texts between Gonzales and his then-aide came to light soon after, showing the congressman asking for a “sexy pic” and persisting despite her assertion he had gone “too far.”
The House Ethics Committee is investigating whether Gonzales “engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his office” and “discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges.”
Gonzales’ departure from the runoff means Herrera, a gun rights activist and YouTuber challenging the more moderate incumbent from his right, will be the Republican nominee in the sprawling border district. Herrera ran against Gonzales in 2024, forcing a runoff that he lost by less than 400 votes.
This time, Herrera went into the runoff in first place. While Gonzales received more early and absentee votes, according to unofficial returns, Herrera outperformed Gonzales on election day, suggesting that news of the scandal was resonating with voters.
“I appreciate Tony Gonzales for making the appropriate decision. I look forward to being the voice of TX23 that our district deserves. From the border, to oil theft, water rights, data centers, and many other issues. It’s an honor to be chosen and together we will make Texas proud,” Herrera said.
I appreciate Tony Gonzales for making the appropriate decision.
I look forward to being the voice of TX23 that our district deserves. From the border, to oil theft, water rights, data centers, and many other issues.
It’s an honor to be chosen and together we will make Texas… https://t.co/oJMXtmwHSq
— Brandon Herrera (@TheAKGuy) March 6, 2026
POLITICO shared further:
A handful of GOP members called for Gonzales to resign or end his reelection campaign, a number which grew after he publicly admitted to the affair. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) — who endorsed Gonzales before the accusations arose — along with other members of party leadership called for Gonzales to end his congressional bid shortly after the primary.
“The Ethics Committee has announced an investigation into Congressman Tony Gonzales’s conduct, and we urge them to act expeditiously,” Johnson and the three other highest-ranking House Republicans said in a statement. “In the meantime, Leadership has asked Congressman Gonzales to withdraw from his race for re-election.”
Democrats believe that the seat in Texas’ 23rd congressional district could be competitive in the fall with Herrera as the nominee.
