Rep. Tony Gonzales speaks throughout a press convention on the US Capitol, on January 29, 2024. – Francis Chung/Politico/AP/File
House Speaker Mike Johnson is resisting calls, together with from inside his personal ranks, to strain Rep. Tony Gonzales to resign amid allegations he had an affair with a district staffer who later died by suicide, telling reporters he needs investigations to play out first.
Johnson conceded the accusations have been “very serious” and that he has urged the San Antonio Republican to address them together with his constituents immediately. But the Republican chief insisted ongoing investigations ought to play out earlier than he would step down.
“There are serious accusations, and it must be taken seriously, and I’ve told him he’s got to address that with his constituents and, and he’s in the process of doing that,” the speaker informed NCS.
“It is my understanding there’s an investigation in the state of Texas on these matters and has been going for some time, and the Office of Congressional Conduct has also, it’s been reported, they’ve been looking at it and all of that was news to me. But I … think as in every case like this, you have to allow the investigations to play out and all the facts to come out.”
As the March 3 main within the state attracts nearer, allegations that Gonzales had an affair with a staffer who died by suicide final 12 months have taken new maintain. Gonzales has denied the affair and stated he’s being blackmailed. But new textual content messages offered to NCS by the staffer’s husband present that Gonzales despatched lewd messages to her, together with in a single change asking for a “sexy pic.”
Johnson had endorsed Gonzales’ bid for reelection to his San Antonio-area seat, which he is defending towards Brandon Herrera – a YouTube persona who ran towards him in 2024 – in a troublesome GOP main battle.
“I endorsed Tony before all these allegations came out. They’re obviously very serious, and I’ve spoken with him and told him he’s got to address that in an appropriate way with his constituents and all of that,” Johnson stated earlier Monday when requested if he nonetheless supported the congressman.
“So it’s too early for anybody to prejudge any of that, but we’ll see how it develops,” he continued.
Gonzales is going through calls from his personal get together to step down. Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Nancy Mace of South Carolina referred to as for his resignation Monday, and nonetheless others have referred to as on him to drop his reelection bid.
Top House Republicans have been intently monitoring the allegations towards Gonzales but are additionally conscious that they can’t afford to have any members go away Congress until there’s a important motive to accomplish that, a number of individuals shut to management have informed NCS in current days.
Johnson is coping with one of many House’s smallest margins in historical past. With full attendance within the House, Johnson and his workforce can solely afford to lose one GOP vote or a measure will fail on the ground. Further complicating issues, there are two GOP vacancies and one Democratic emptiness.
Republicans will fill a kind of vacancies after a particular election in March, although that race is anticipated to go to a runoff in April. Democrats may even add one further member in April after a New Jersey particular election. Then the GOP will fill one other seat, previously held by the late Rep. Doug Lamalfa, after a particular election in August.
But Republican leaders are additionally going through an sudden problem in Florida, the place 73-year-old Rep. Neal Dunn is contemplating retiring early from the House.
Johnson argued Monday that he’s been “intellectually consistent” on the matter of whether or not members going through allegations of misconduct must be compelled to step down or not.
“You know, I’ve been intellectually consistent about this. Whether you’re talking about Republicans or Democrats, you have to let the system play out. … I was against, for example, the expulsion of George Santos, a while back, because he had been accused of a crime and indicted but not found guilty,” he stated.
“If the accusation of something is going to be the litmus test for someone being able to continue to serve in the House, you’ll have a lot of people would have to resign or be removed or expelled from Congress. So, I think you got to allow this to play out,” he added, stressing once more the claims towards Gonzales are “very serious.”
Attorney Bobby Barrera, who represents Adrian Aviles, stated his consumer’s partner – Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who died by self-immolation final 12 months – had confessed that she had been having an affair with the congressman in June 2024.
Gonzales has repeatedly criticized what he referred to as the “personal smears” towards him and has additionally accused Aviles of making an attempt to blackmail him. Barrera has denied Gonzales’ declare, saying that the “assertion of extortion is ridiculous.”
This story has been up to date with further particulars.
NCS’s Piper Hudspeth Blackburn, Alison Main and Rebecca Legato contributed to this report.
For extra NCS information and newsletters create an account at NCS.com