Political Scandals

Rep. Tony Gonzales announced he will not seek reelection and will serve out the remainder of his term after admitting in a radio interview that he had an affair with former staffer Regina Ann Santos‑Aviles, who died by suicide in September 2025. His decision followed mounting pressure from House GOP leaders who urged him to withdraw, his being forced into a GOP primary runoff with Brandon Herrera, and a formal bipartisan House Ethics Committee investigation into alleged sexual misconduct and whether he granted special favors. Gonzales has called the relationship a "mistake," denied any role in Santos‑Aviles’ death, said he will cooperate with the probe, and has disputed claims by the widower’s lawyer that amounted to extortion.