{"id":2577058,"date":"2026-03-06T18:17:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T23:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tony-gonzales-exit-skirts-disciplinary-headache-for-gops-thin-majority\/"},"modified":"2026-03-06T18:19:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T23:19:21","slug":"tony-gonzales-exit-skirts-disciplinary-headache-for-gops-thin-majority","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tony-gonzales-exit-skirts-disciplinary-headache-for-gops-thin-majority\/","title":{"rendered":"Tony Gonzales exit skirts disciplinary headache for GOP&#8217;s thin majority"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftony-gonzales-exit-skirts-disciplinary-headache-for-gops-thin-majority%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2577058&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Tony Gonzales, the Republican representative from Texas, ended his 2026 reelection bid after acknowledging an affair with a former staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, who died last year after setting herself on fire. The move came as Rep. Anna Paulina Luna reportedly paused her push to censure Gonzales but said she would pursue the resolution if further misconduct surfaces. The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into Gonzales on March 4 for sexual misconduct toward an employee and for potential discriminatory favoritism,a process that could take months or longer and may not be resolved before Gonzales leaves Congress in January 2027. Given the GOP\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-backs-off-15-minimum-wage-as-virus-relief-plan-takes-shape\/\" title=\"Biden Backs Off  Minimum Wage As Virus Relief Plan Takes Shape\">razor-thin majority<\/a>, leadership argued that forcing a disciplinary vote would be a distraction and urged Gonzales to withdraw. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended due process and indicated subcommittee members would be named soon; Rep. Nancy Mace also pressed to release all records of sexual harassment investigations, but the effort was steered to the ethics panel. Gonzales\u2019s withdrawal reshapes a potential runoff with YouTuber Brandon Herrera, who welcomed the decision and pledged to advocate for the district. The article also highlights the broader political risk for Republicans as investigations unfold against a member in a fragile majority.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Gonzales reelection exit skirts disciplinary headache for Mike Johnson&rsquo;s thin majority<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2524942\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tony-gonzales\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11307\">Tony Gonzales<\/a>&rsquo;s (R-TX) decision to end his reelection bid has quelled an effort to rebuke him for having an affair with a staffer &mdash; sparing House Republicans a messy disciplinary fight as they struggle to manage their razor-thin majority.<\/p>\n<p>Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/anna-paulina-luna\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11243\">Anna Paulina Luna<\/a> (R-FL) is <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/meredithllee\/status\/2029957311918186847?s=46&amp;t=vgOs3L9Jdw1koLNS5Z1G3g\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/meredithllee\/status\/2029957311918186847?s=46&amp;t=vgOs3L9Jdw1koLNS5Z1G3g\">reportedly halting<\/a> her effort to censure the Texas Republican over the affair, but told <em>Politico <\/em>Friday she would follow through with triggering the resolution if &ldquo;any more funny business&rdquo; comes out about Gonzales.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4483979\/brian-mast-state-department-biden-queer-maps-project\/\">Brian Mast questions State Department official on Biden administation&#8217;s &#8216;queer&#8217; maps project&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4483728\/joyce-beatty-kennedy-center-closure-renovation\/\">Beatty asks court to stop Kennedy Center closure and renovation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4483287\/house-gop-leadership-push-reconciliation-2\/\">House GOP leaders begin push for reconciliation 2.0<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>For Republicans, who can afford to lose only a handful of votes on the House floor, forcing a disciplinary vote against one of their own risked becoming an unwanted political distraction.<\/p>\n<p>Gonzales announced he was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4481924\/house-gop-leadership-calls-on-scandal-ridden-tony-gonzales-suspend-reelection\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4481924\/house-gop-leadership-calls-on-scandal-ridden-tony-gonzales-suspend-reelection\/\">ending his campaign<\/a> one day after admitting to having an affair with then-staffer Regina Santos-Aviles during an interview with a conservative talk show.&nbsp;Santos-Aviles died last year after setting herself on fire. <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I made a mistake, and I had a lapse in judgment,&rdquo; Gonzales said in the interview. &ldquo;I take full responsibility for those actions.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Gonzales&rsquo;s reelection bid was roiled after text messages from the congressman appeared to show him pressuring Santos-Aviles into a sexual relationship. After failing to reach a 50% majority, the Texas Republican was headed to a runoff election against YouTuber Brandon Herrera in May.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Herrera applauded Gonzales for &ldquo;making the appropriate&rdquo; decision, saying he looks &ldquo;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&rsquo;s an honor to be chosen and together we will make Texas proud.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Pressure inside the House escalated this week, culminating in GOP leadership urging Gonzales Thursday to withdraw from the race.<\/p>\n<p>The House Ethics Committee announced it was opening an investigation into Gonzales on March 4 regarding allegations that he &ldquo;engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-ethics-committee-launches-investigation-into-tony-gonzales\/\" title=\"... ... launches investigation into ...\">congressional office&#038;rdquo<\/a>; and &ldquo;discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Investigations from the committee, however, often take months to years to complete, meaning the committee&rsquo;s inquiry into the matter may not be completed by the time he leaves Congress in January 2027.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The committee only has jurisdiction over sitting members of Congress, making it unlikely that the committee would vote to release its findings once Gonzales&rsquo;s term ends. However, such a move would not be unprecedented.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The committee released the findings of an investigation into a former member in December 2024 over its investigation into former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Gaetz had resigned from Congress after being tapped to be President Donald Trump&rsquo;s attorney general, though he later withdrew his name from consideration over opposition in the Senate.<\/p>\n<p>When pressed on criticism about the slow nature of the panel&rsquo;s process, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said members do &ldquo;investigations as quickly and efficiently and effectively as they can.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I mean that they have an element of due process,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m convinced that they&rsquo;ll do this as rapidly as possible.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The speaker went on to say that he expected the committee to name its subcommittee members for its investigation into Gonzales as &ldquo;early as next week.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) moved to force the release of all records pertaining to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >congressional sexual harassment investigations<\/a> this week in the House, but the effort was effectively killed after the chamber voted to refer the matter to the ethics committee.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Mace on Friday said in a press release, &ldquo;A young woman is dead. This story begins and ends with her. Tony Gonzales is leaving. She doesn&rsquo;t get to.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4482959\/tony-gonzales-suspends-2026-campaign\/\"><strong>TONY GONZALES DROPS 2026 BID AFTER ADMITTING AFFAIR WITH LATE STAFFER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>She continued, &ldquo;We forced a floor vote on our resolution to make Congress release every record of sexual harassment and misconduct it&rsquo;s been sitting on. Both Republicans and Democrats voted it down. They chose the cover-up over the victims. Tony Gonzales still couldn&rsquo;t survive the truth.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> has reached out to Gonzales, Mace, and Luna for comment. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/del-democrats-facing-accusations-of-racism-violence\/\" title=\"Del. Democrats facing accusations of racism, violence\">ethics committee declined<\/a> to comment on this story.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gonzales exits reelection bid, sparing GOP a fight<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2912,"featured_media":2577059,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26061746904379.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[65531,6203,3653,67394,74120],"class_list":["post-2577058","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-discipline-2","tag-gop","tag-house","tag-majority-2","tag-tony-gonzales-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26061746904379.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2577058","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2912"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2577058"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2577058\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2577062,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2577058\/revisions\/2577062"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2577059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2577058"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2577058"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2577058"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}