Jordan Declines to Call for Gonzales's Resignation Ahead of Texas Primary

The Ohio Republican says voters should decide Gonzales's fate in the upcoming election.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has declined to call for the resignation of Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), who is facing allegations of an affair with a staffer. Jordan says the decision should be left up to the voters in Gonzales's district, which is holding a primary election in just seven days.

Why it matters

The allegations against Gonzales have rattled his reelection bid, and his resignation would further narrow the GOP's slim majority in the House. The situation highlights the political dynamics at play as Republicans seek to maintain control of Congress.

The details

Jordan told CNN's Manu Raju that he has done events to help Gonzales in the past to maintain the Republican majority, but that ultimately it is up to the voters to decide. Gonzales has said he will not resign despite the scrutiny. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has said the allegations are 'very serious' and that Gonzales should address them, but that it is 'too early' to prejudge the situation.

  • The Texas primary election is in seven days.
  • The allegations against Gonzales surfaced last year.

The players

Rep. Jim Jordan

A Republican congressman from Ohio who has declined to call for Gonzales's resignation.

Rep. Tony Gonzales

A Republican congressman from Texas who is facing allegations of an affair with a staffer.

Manu Raju

A CNN reporter who interviewed Jordan about the Gonzales situation.

Rep. Mike Johnson

The Republican Speaker of the House who has said the allegations against Gonzales are 'very serious'.

Brandon Herrera

A Republican candidate who some of Gonzales's colleagues are supporting in the upcoming primary election.

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What they’re saying

“I'd leave that up to the voters in San Antonio and south Texas, in Mr. Gonzales's district, that's a call for the vote— I've always sort of taken that position.”

— Rep. Jim Jordan (CNN)

“We were, but there's also the guy who's — now, some of our colleagues are supporting Mr. [Brandon] Herrera, if Mr. Herrera wins, that's fine.”

— Rep. Jim Jordan (CNN)

“I endorsed Tony before all these allegations came out. The allegations are very serious.”

— Rep. Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House (The Hill)

What’s next

The Texas primary election will be held in seven days, at which point voters in Gonzales's district will decide his political fate.

The takeaway

The Gonzales situation highlights the complex political dynamics at play as Republicans seek to maintain their slim majority in the House of Representatives. While some party leaders have expressed concern over the allegations, they are ultimately deferring to the voters to decide Gonzales's future.