Supporters and opponents support GOP Rep. Gonzales ending reelection bid

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)-- Rep. Tony Gonzales is ending his reelection bid after admitting to an affair with a former staffer who later died by suicide, but he says he will be finishing out his term.

ABC-7 spoke with the Chairman of the El Paso Republican Party, Mike Aboud. He said he supports the congressman, "I think that, he was having a lot of distractions, and he wasn't able to, do his job the way he would like or that the way that people would like. I wish him well."

Gonzales posted the announcement on X, saying he would complete the remainder of his current term in Congress.

“I have decided not to seek re-election while serving out the rest of this Congress with the same commitment I’ve always had to my district,” Gonzales wrote.

The decision came shortly after GOP leaders called on him to step aside from the race.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Republican leaders had encouraged Gonzales to withdraw.

“We’ve encouraged him to drop out of the race for reelection,” Johnson said. “I think that is, politically, a death penalty.”

Earlier this week, Gonzales acknowledged having an affair with a congressional staff member, which violates House ethics rules. The staff member later died by suicide after setting herself on fire.

Gonzales did not mention the incident in his announcement.

His decision ends his campaign ahead of a scheduled May 26 Republican primary runoff against Brandon Herrera.

Herrera reposted Gonzales’ announcement on X, writing in part: “It’s an honor to be chosen and together we will make Texas proud.”

Some local leaders said Gonzales should go further and resign his seat immediately.

“We’re actually asking for him to resign,” said Stout, a the democratic nominee for the Texas 23rd Conngresional District.

Others said they were surprised by how quickly the decision came.

“I was surprised at the speed at which it happened,” Stout said. “I thought that it would happen later or closer to the runoff.”

Aboud, said he hopes Gonzales finishes his current term and moves on.

“It’s probably good that he’s going to go ahead and finish up this term and find other things for him to do,” Aboud said. “And I wish him the best of luck. I don’t harbor any ill will toward him.”

Herrera released a statement: I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the Republican Party as our nominee for Congress in the November election.

Over the past month, I traveled to every county in this district, holding town hall meetings, listening to voters’ concerns, and answering their tough questions. That experience deepened my respect for the people I hope to serve in Congress.

From San Antonio to El Paso and every city, town, and community in between, the people of this district are the salt of the earth, and I am committed to being the representative they deserve. Whether Democrat or Republican or something else, young or old, successful or struggling, multi-generational Texan or newly arrived in the greatest state in the nation, I will work to represent everyone in this district.

President Trump’s leadership has delivered real results for our country, from securing the border to expanding access to foreign markets for American goods and services to lowering taxes so working families can keep more of what they earn. In Washington, DC, I will stand with him in the fight against the swamp during the final two years of his presidency as we work together to Make America Great Again.

I will also bring renewed focus to the local challenges facing our district, including rural hospital closures, oil theft, water rights, and responsible data center development.

And among my top priorities will be ensuring our veterans receive the care and benefits they were promised and deserve.

I’m asking my fellow Republicans and common-sense voters of all political backgrounds to unite behind our campaign. We must defeat the Democrats in November. Our district and our nation cannot afford a return to their policies that gave us a dangerous open border, out-of-control inflation that squeezed working families, and destructive social policies that undermine our values.

Over the coming months, I will work hard to earn the trust and support of the people of Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, and I look forward to fighting for them in Washington, DC.

We reached out to Herrera and Gonzales for comment.

Gonzales has not responded to multiple requests for an interview.

Herrera's team said he will not be doing an interviews at this time.