Texas Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales announced on Monday (April 13) that he will officially submit his “retirement” application after Congress reconvenes. This decision comes after a former staff member accused him of long-term harassment and soliciting nude photos, facing pressure from bipartisan members of Congress to step down, ultimately leading him to end his political career prematurely.
In a statement on social media platform X on Monday, Gonzales wrote, “There is a time for everything, and God has a plan for all of us. When Congress reconvenes tomorrow, I will submit my resignation application. It has been my honor to serve the great people of Texas.”
Just an hour before this announcement, Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell also resigned due to a sex scandal.
Several members from both parties reportedly privately stated that if Gonzales did not voluntarily leave, they would initiate a vote to expel him.
The accusations that ultimately ended Gonzales’s political career came from his former political director during his 2020 campaign. The unidentified victim disclosed to media outlets such as NBC News that Gonzales repeatedly sent sexually suggestive and explicit messages during her tenure and demanded nude photos from her.
NBC News typically does not disclose the names of sexual harassment victims unless they have chosen to make their identities public. The victim described this behavior as “sexual bullying” and told NBC that despite her clear refusals, Gonzales did not stop.
According to text messages exposed by NBC News and the San Antonio Express-News, after numerous refusals from the victim, Gonzales responded, “47 times refusal is pretty much my limit.”
The former campaign staffer stated that she is now speaking out publicly because she believes Gonzales should be held accountable for his past actions.
“My intention is not to dwell on the past or reopen old wounds,” the victim emphasized. “This behavior must stop. What can I do? That is the question I have been asking myself.”
At 43 years old and a father of six, Gonzales’s scandal first emerged earlier. The House Ethics Committee had previously investigated his improper relationship with another deceased aide, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles.
Last month, Gonzales appeared on a podcast program acknowledging that he “made a mistake and misjudged,” seemingly referring to his involvement with Santos-Aviles.
Although Gonzales had initially planned not to seek reelection, intending to serve until the end of his term in January 2027, with the emergence of the second victim and severe criticisms of his conduct from both party members of Congress, he ultimately chose to resign early.
Currently, the House Ethics Committee has not commented on the latest allegations, but it is investigating whether he violated the behavioral guidelines prohibiting sexual relationships between Congress members and subordinates.