U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-San Antonio) is dropping his reelection bid, amid an investigation into his relationship with a former staffer who died by suicide.
Gonzales admitted to the affair earlier this week, and confronted stress from prime Republican leaders who urged him to withdraw his candidacy whereas the U.S. Home Ethics Committee appears into the matter.
“After deep reflection and with the assist of my loving household, I’ve determined to not search reelection whereas serving out the remainder of this Congress with the identical dedication I’ve all the time needed to my district,” Gonzales stated in a press release late Thursday night. “Via the remainder of my time period, I’ll proceed preventing for my constituents, for whom I’m eternally grateful.”
The Texas Tribune reported earlier on Thursday that GOP management stated that they had urged the Home Ethics Committee, a congressional watchdog, to “act expeditiously” and that Gonzales “stated he’ll absolutely cooperate with the investigation.” Home guidelines prohibit members from having a sexual relationship or participating in unwelcome sexual advances with their staffers.
Particulars of the affair turned public simply as early voting for the March 3 main was starting.
On election evening Gonzales completed second in a four-way GOP main, behind YouTuber Brandon Herrera, who he would have confronted in a runoff.
Gonzales’ choice units up an attention-grabbing race between the 30-year-old Herrera, who’s best-known for his firearm-focused YouTube channel, and Democrat Katy Padilla Stout, a San Antonio legal professional who serves on the Bexar County Baby Welfare Board.
The twenty third Congressional District hasn’t been aggressive for Democrats because it was redrawn after the 2020 census, however the get together has been as soon as once more taking a look at it after rumors of Gonzales’ affair first began circulating final fall.
