Tony Gonzales has announced that he will not run for office again after having an extramarital affair

This story is about suicide. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 800-273-TALK (8255).

Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, announced Thursday evening that he will not seek re-election amid a House Ethics investigation into an affair he admitted to having with a former staffer.

Gonzales, a married father of six, admitted they were dating for the first time during an appearance on a conservative talk show Wednesday — a day after his district’s GOP race.

“When I was 18 years old, I swore to protect our nation from all enemies, foreign and domestic. During my 20 years in the military and three terms in Congress, I fought for that with complete dedication to the country I love,” said Gonzales in a statement.

“From overcoming the border crisis to taking a stand with our communities after the worst school shooting in Texas history, my philosophy has never changed: do your best, and always strive for the best,” he continued.

“After deep consideration and with the support of my loving family, I have decided not to seek re-election while serving the entire Congress with the same commitment I have always had to my district,” he added. “For the rest of my time, I will continue to fight for the people I voted for, to whom I am forever grateful.”

“I made a mistake, and there was a lapse in judgment, and there was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions,” he said on the “Joe Pags Show” Wednesday night. “Since then I got back together with my wife Angel. I am asking God to forgive me, and my faith is as strong as before.”

The House Ethics Committee also launched an investigation into Gonzales on Wednesday to determine whether he engaged in sexual misconduct with a female member of his staff and whether he gave them special treatment or privileges as a result.

The former employee, Regina Santos-Aviles, died after setting herself on fire outside her home late last year.

MIKE JOHNSON ASKS HOUSE REPUBLICAN TONY GONZALES TO DROP RE-ELECTION BID

Representative Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, is seen at the US Capitol before the House voted to keep the government funded until March, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

House GOP leaders have called on the incumbent to drop his re-election bid.

“The Ethics Committee has announced an investigation into the behavior of Congressman Tony Gonzales, and we urge them to act immediately. Congressman Gonzales said he will fully cooperate with the investigation,” Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and other top Republicans in a statement this week.

“We have encouraged him to face these serious allegations directly with his representatives and colleagues. In the meantime, the leadership has asked Congressman Gonzales to withdraw from his re-election bid,” they added.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and other top Republicans encouraged Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, to drop his re-election bid amid a House Ethics investigation into the matter. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

Gonzales’ departure opens the way for challenger Brandon Herrera to be selected. Herrera edged Gonzales 43.33% – 41.73% in Texas’ 23rd District GOP primary on Tuesday, which caused a runoff because no candidate received 50% of the vote.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM

Herrera called his opponent’s withdrawal from the race “the right decision.”

“Thank you Tony Gonzales for making the right decision,” Herrera wrote on X. “I look forward to being the voice TX23 deserves for our state. From the border, oil theft, water rights, data centers, and many other issues. It is an honor to be elected and together we will make Texas proud.”

Gonzales initially said he would not step down because of the allegations, telling reporters in late February that “what you have seen is not all the truth.”

Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom and Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.

Related Article