Texas Republican Representative Tony Gonzales announced Thursday evening that he is dropping out of his reelection campaign following his public acknowledgment of an extramarital relationship with a former member of his staff.<\/p>\n
The congressman’s decision to withdraw from the race comes after he confirmed the affair, which has created significant political fallout for the Texas lawmaker.<\/p>\n
Gonzales had been seeking another term in Congress before the personal scandal emerged, prompting his exit from the electoral contest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Texas Republican Representative Tony Gonzales announced Thursday night he is dropping out of his reelection campaign following his admission of an extramarital relationship with a former staff member. The congressman’s withdrawal comes after the personal scandal became public.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[833],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32256","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-8og","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":32800,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/texas-gop-congressman-steps-down-gun-rights-advocate-set-to-take-over\/","url_meta":{"origin":32256,"position":0},"title":"Texas GOP Congressman Steps Down, Gun Rights Advocate Set to Take Over","author":"Admin","date":"March 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A Texas Republican congressman's withdrawal from his reelection race following a personal scandal has opened the door for a controversial gun rights supporter. The candidate, known online as 'The AK Guy,' now faces no primary opposition in the heavily Republican district.","rel":"","context":"In "Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772836486406.jpg?fit=1000%2C750&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772836486406.jpg?fit=1000%2C750&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772836486406.jpg?fit=1000%2C750&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772836486406.jpg?fit=1000%2C750&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":30733,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/texas-gop-congressman-battles-primary-challenge-amid-affair-allegations\/","url_meta":{"origin":32256,"position":1},"title":"Texas GOP Congressman Battles Primary Challenge Amid Affair Allegations","author":"Admin","date":"March 3, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Republican Representative Tony Gonzales of Texas faced voters in a contentious primary election while dealing with scandal involving alleged affair with former aide. The aide, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, tragically died by suicide in September after reportedly setting herself on fire.","rel":"","context":"In "Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772517769834.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772517769834.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772517769834.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772517769834.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31629,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/texas-congressman-faces-ethics-investigation-over-alleged-affair-with-staffer\/","url_meta":{"origin":32256,"position":2},"title":"Texas Congressman Faces Ethics Investigation Over Alleged Affair with Staffer","author":"Admin","date":"March 4, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The House Ethics Committee has launched a formal investigation into Texas Representative Tony Gonzales following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. The third-term Republican congressman maintains his innocence and says he won't resign while the investigation proceeds.","rel":"","context":"In "Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772642912189.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772642912189.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772642912189.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772642912189.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":23613,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/texas-rep-tony-gonzales-denies-extortion-claims-over-alleged-affair\/","url_meta":{"origin":32256,"position":3},"title":"Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales Denies Extortion Claims Over Alleged Affair","author":"Admin","date":"February 19, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Texas Representative Tony Gonzales is pushing back against what he calls blackmail attempts following reports of an alleged affair with a former staff member who died by suicide. The congressman faces a potential lawsuit as he campaigns for reelection with Trump's endorsement.","rel":"","context":"In "Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771551126718.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771551126718.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771551126718.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771551126718.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":51573,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/texas-gop-congressman-to-step-down-after-affair-admission\/","url_meta":{"origin":32256,"position":4},"title":"Texas GOP Congressman to Step Down After Affair Admission","author":"Admin","date":"April 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Texas Republican Representative Tony Gonzales announced his retirement from Congress following widespread calls for his expulsion. The three-term lawmaker had previously revealed an inappropriate relationship with a staff member who later took their own life.","rel":"","context":"In "Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776123383086.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776123383086.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776123383086.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776123383086.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31621,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/house-ethics-committee-probes-texas-congressman-over-affair-claims\/","url_meta":{"origin":32256,"position":5},"title":"House Ethics Committee Probes Texas Congressman Over Affair Claims","author":"Admin","date":"March 4, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The House Ethics Committee has launched an investigation into Texas Representative Tony Gonzales following allegations of sexual misconduct with a staff member. The probe will examine whether Gonzales had an inappropriate relationship with an aide and provided special treatment.","rel":"","context":"In "Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772642904284.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772642904284.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772642904284.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772642904284.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32256","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32256"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32256\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32256"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32256"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32256"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}