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Texas congressional seat up for grabs after Rep. Tony Gonzales ends re-election campaign

Gonzales withdrew after admitting to an affair, and the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into him.

Texas congressional seat up for grabs after Rep. Tony Gonzales ends re-election campaign
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This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026

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Mar 8, 2026
tl;dr

Rep. Tony Gonzales ended his re-election campaign after admitting to an affair and facing pressure from Republican leaders, leaving Brandon Herrera the Republican nominee for Texas’s 23rd District. Herrera will face Democrat Katy Padilla Stout in November.

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Tony Gonzales Former U.S. Representative (R-TX)
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Tony Gonzales
Former U.S. Representative (R-TX)

Texas representative who withdrew from the Republican re-election race

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Republican nominee for Texas's 23rd Congressional District

Herrera's version of this story ↗
Katy Stout
D · TX

Democratic nominee for Texas's 23rd Congressional District

Stout's version of this story ↗
Mike Johnson
R · LA-4

Speaker of the House who joined Republican leaders urging Gonzales to withdraw

House Minority Leader, identified as the employer of a quoted staffer

House Republican Conference Chair who joined Republican leaders urging Gonzales to withdraw

Steve Scalise
R · LA-1

House Majority Leader who joined Republican leaders urging Gonzales to withdraw

Tom Emmer
R · MN-6

House Majority Whip who joined Republican leaders urging Gonzales to withdraw

Part of a bigger story

41 OUTLETS
Tony Gonzales Ends Reelection Bid After Admitting Affair

Tony Gonzales said he would end his reelection bid after admitting to an affair with a former staffer. The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation, and Gonzales said he would serve out his term. All sides connect Gonzales's exit to the affair and the ethics inquiry. Left-leaning outlets also stress its political fallout and, in some coverage, examine Herrera's record. Center outlets pair the decision with the inquiry and election implications, including runoff-ballot details. Right-leaning outlets likewise cover the affair, with some using sharper language or highlighting Herrera's prospects.

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