GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales heads to a runoff in Texas amid a new ethics probe in the House
NPR • • nation
Key Points:
- The House Ethics Committee has launched a formal investigation into Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales over allegations of sexual misconduct and unfair favoritism toward a congressional employee.
- The probe follows the publication of explicit text messages between Gonzales and his former employee, Regina Santos-Aviles, who died by suicide last September; Gonzales denies any wrongdoing.
- Gonzales advanced to a May 26 runoff against challenger Brandon Herrera amid calls from some Republicans for him to resign or drop out of the race.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the need for due process and stated that investigations must run their course before any decisions about Gonzales's service are made.
- The Ethics Committee's investigation could take several months, with the investigative subcommittee members
