GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales heads to a runoff in Texas amid a new ethics probe in the House

"The panel voted to establish a subcommittee to probe allegations that Gonzales "engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his congressional office and/or discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges." This comes after Gonzales faced increasing pressure from members in his party to resign or drop out of his race after explicit text messages from him to his then-employee Regina Santos-Aviles were published in The San Antonio Express-News."

"It is against the House's code of conduct for lawmakers to have sexual relationships with staff. On Tuesday night, Gonzales advanced to a May 26 runoff against challenger Brandon Herrera. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has previously said that Gonzales needs to address the allegations with his constituents, and that he is entitled to due process."

""As in every case like this, you have to allow the investigations to play out and all the facts to come out," Johnson told reporters last week. "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 who would have to resign or be removed or expelled from Congress.""

The House Ethics Committee established a subcommittee to investigate Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas for allegations of sexual misconduct toward a congressional employee and discriminatory conduct. This action followed the publication of explicit text messages between Gonzales and former employee Regina Santos-Aviles in The San Antonio Express-News. Santos-Aviles died by suicide in September. Gonzales denies wrongdoing and advanced to a May 26 Republican primary runoff. House Speaker Mike Johnson stated Gonzales deserves due process while investigations proceed. The Ethics Committee probe may take months to complete.

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