Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Conference, participates in the group’s press conference in the Capitol, March 25, 2025.
Bill Clark | Cq-roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images
The House Ethics Committee on Wednesday announced an investigation into Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican who has come under fire for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a staffer who died by suicide last year.
The committee said it would investigate whether Gonzales “engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his congressional office,” or “discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges.”
Gonzales has denied the affair with his former aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, who died in September 2025. Several Republicans have called on Gonzales to resign, though he has said he will remain in office.
The announcement of an investigation comes a day after primary elections in Texas. Gonzales, who is running for reelection, is headed to a runoff in May. He will square off against Brandon Herrera, who is challenging Gonzales from the right.
