Embattled Rep. Tony Gonzales drops re-election bid after admitting affair with aide

Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, late Thursday dropped his reelection bid for his Texas congressional district after acknowledging an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.

"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 an announcement on X.

Gonzales was forced into a May runoff on Tuesday against fellow Republican Brandon Herrera in the bid to represent the GOP-leaning congressional district along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Gonzales admitted Wednesday to having had an affair with a married staffer who later committed suicide, calling the affair a "lapse in judgment." 

The confession comes the same day Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna introduced a censure resolution against Gonzales and the House Ethics Committee opened a probe into the allegations.

Gonzales told conservative talk show host Joe Pags in an interview that he “made a mistake” by having the affair and accepts "full responsibility." 

“I take full responsibility for those actions. Since then, I’ve reconciled with my wife, Angel. I’ve asked God to forgive me, which he has, and my faith is as strong as ever," Gonzales said. "When you make mistakes like this, you know it’s never easy. It humbles you, but it’s important to kind of work through it all." 

The lawmaker said he welcomed the House Ethics investigation, where he will be able to explain the affair.

“I appreciate the opportunity to be able to provide all the facts and all the details that led to exactly what occurred in the entire situation,” he said. 

Gonzales previously denied the allegations and claimed they were part of a political smear campaign by his opponents.