Rep. Tony Gonzales announced Monday night he will file for early retirement from Congress, stepping away amid sexual misconduct allegations that had triggered bipartisan calls for his ouster.
Gonzales posted on X that he would submit his resignation filing when lawmakers return to the Capitol. The Republican from Texas acknowledged having an affair with a former staffer who later died by suicide, a disclosure that prompted pressure from colleagues across party lines to leave office.
The move came on the heels of a similar resignation announcement by Rep. Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat facing his own sexual harassment allegations.
In his statement, Gonzales invoked faith, saying there is "a season for everything, and God has a plan for us all." He expressed gratitude for his service representing Texas constituents but did not specify an exact departure date.
The timing of both departures underscores how sexual misconduct allegations have rattled Capitol Hill in recent weeks, cutting across party lines and forcing lawmakers to confront internal pressure on ethics issues.
Author James Rodriguez: "Gonzales folding rather than face an expulsion fight tells you everything about the political weight these allegations carry, even in a Republican-held seat."
Comments