Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales to Retire Ahead of Expulsion Vote

Gonzales faces allegations of an affair with a congressional staffer.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:28am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty congressional office with a single chair and desk, conveying a sense of solitude and transition.The impending departure of Rep. Tony Gonzales leaves an air of uncertainty in the halls of Congress.Gonzales Today

Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales announced he plans to retire from office when the House returns on Tuesday, more than a month after he faced allegations of an affair with a congressional staffer.

Why it matters

Gonzales' retirement announcement comes ahead of a potential expulsion vote, signaling the seriousness of the allegations against him and the political pressure he is facing to step down.

The details

Gonzales, who has represented Texas's 23rd congressional district since 2019, did not provide further details on the allegations or his decision to retire. However, the announcement suggests the allegations were significant enough that Gonzales felt he could not remain in office.

  • Gonzales plans to file his retirement when the House returns on Tuesday, April 22, 2026.
  • The allegations against Gonzales surfaced more than a month ago.

The players

Rep. Tony Gonzales

A Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives who has represented Texas's 23rd congressional district since 2019.

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What’s next

The House is expected to hold a vote on whether to expel Gonzales when it returns on Tuesday.

The takeaway

Gonzales' retirement announcement highlights the seriousness of the allegations against him and the political consequences he is facing. It remains to be seen how his departure will impact the balance of power in the House.