WASHINGTON — Representative Tony Gonzales announced on Monday that he will retire from Congress. The Texas Republican, who is serving his third term, had previously said he would not seek reelection but had indicated he would serve out the remainder of his term.

"There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all. When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office. It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas." Gonzales said.

It was unclear whether the retirement would take effect immediately. The House Ethics Committee had initiated an investigation into Gonzales's conduct, and House Republican leaders had called on him not to seek reelection. Under House ethics rules, lawmakers may not engage in a sexual relationship with any employee of the House under their supervision. The Ethics Committee does not have jurisdiction over former members of Congress.

Gonzales, who is married and has six children, admitted to having an affair with a staff member, Regina Santos-Aviles. He ended his reelection campaign in March after the admission became public, but said at the time he would serve out the remainder of his term.

Santos-Aviles died by suicide in September 2025 after setting herself on fire. According to text messages from 2024, Santos-Aviles wrote, "This is going too far boss" after Gonzales asked for a "sexy pic." In a separate exchange that year, she wrote, "I had affair with our boss and I'm fine." Gonzales also sent lewd text messages to at least two former staffers, including Santos-Aviles.

Representative Teresa Leger Fernández said she would introduce a resolution to expel Gonzales from Congress. A two-thirds majority vote is required to expel a member of the House of Representatives. The House was expected to vote on resolutions to expel both Gonzales and Representative Eric Swalwell of California, who said on the same day that he would resign from Congress over separate allegations of sexual misconduct. Gonzales's retirement announcement came hours after Swalwell's statement.