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Speaker Johnson tells Rep. Tony Gonzales to address affair allegations but says he shouldn't resign

Johnson said Gonzales should address the allegations with constituents but that investigations should play out before anyone prejudges them.

Speaker Johnson tells Rep. Tony Gonzales to address affair allegations but says he shouldn't resign
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This article1 analysis · Oct 10, 2026
CNN
Feb 23, 2026
tl;dr

Speaker Mike Johnson says Rep. Tony Gonzales should address serious affair allegations with his constituents but should not be pressured to resign before investigations conclude. Newly provided messages reportedly show Gonzales sent lewd texts to a staffer who later died by suicide; Gonzales denies the affair and says he was blackmailed.

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Mike Johnson R · LA-4

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Mike Johnson
R · LA-4

House Speaker responding to calls for Gonzales to resign

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

Texas representative facing affair allegations and calls to resign

Gonzales's version of this story ↗
George Santos
Former U.S. Representative (R-NY)

Former representative cited by Johnson as an example

Republican primary challenger to Gonzales

Nancy Mace
R · SC-1

Representative who called for Gonzales to resign

Tim Burchett
R · TN-2

Representative who called for Gonzales to resign

Doug LaMalfa
Former U.S. Representative (R-CA)

Former representative whose seat is vacant

Neal P. Dunn
R · FL-2

Representative reported to be considering early retirement

Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Representative who called for Gonzales to resign

Representative who called for Gonzales to resign

Steve Scalise
R · LA-1

House Majority Leader who said the investigation should proceed

Representative who called for Gonzales to resign

Part of a bigger story

6 OUTLETS
Mike Johnson Urges Tony Gonzales to Address Allegations With Constituents

Johnson said Gonzales should address the allegations with constituents and that the process should play out before anyone reaches a judgment. Left-leaning outlets emphasize Johnson’s limited ability to discipline Republicans while noting his call for Gonzales to address the allegations. Center outlets stress Johnson’s view that the allegations are serious but the investigation or facts should run their course. Right-leaning outlets emphasize that Gonzales’s constituents will judge him in the Texas primary.

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