Republican leaders in the House of Representatives publicly asked Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) to drop his re-election bid now that he’s admitted an extramarital affair with a staffer who fatally set herself on fire last year.

“Leadership has asked Congressman Gonzales to withdraw from his race for re-election,” Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), and Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) said in a joint statement.

“We have encouraged him to address these very serious allegations directly with his constituents and his colleagues,” the quartet said.

Gonzales admitted for the first time on Wednesday that he did have the affair with Regina Santos-Aviles, called it a “mistake” and said he is reconciling with his wife.

He is facing Brandon Herrera in a May 26 runoff election, with the winner favored to represent the Lone Star State’s 23rd Congressional District for the next two years.

“I made a mistake, and I had a lapse in judgment,” Gonzales told “The Joe Pags Show.” “And I take full responsibility for those actions.”

“When you make mistakes like this, it’s never easy. It humbles you,” he added.

Santos-Aviles, 35, fatally set herself on fire in the backyard of her Uvalde home on Sept. 13, 2025, dying the following day of the severe burns she suffered. 

Her widower, Adrian Aviles, claims Gonzales “abused his power” by engaging in the affair with his subordinate.

The House Ethics Committee announced Wednesday it was investigating Gonzales over the claims that he “engaged in sexual misconduct” with an unidentified staffer and “discriminated unfairly” by “dispensing special favors or privileges.”

Several Republicans have called Gonzales to resign from Congress, but so far he has refused to do so.

“There’s a whole lot more to the story, a lot more to the story that isn’t out there,” Gonzales said Wednesday, denying he was at fault for Santos-Aviles’ death. 

“I hadn’t spoken with Ms. Santos since June of 2024. She passed September of 2025 … I had absolutely nothing to do with her tragic passing,” he insisted. “And in fact, I was shocked just as much as everyone else.”