U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales’ five-year congressional career has come to an end.
The embattled San Antonio Democrat submitted his resignation Tuesday, and it became effective at midnight.
The move follows Gonzales’ revelation last month that he had an affair with Regina Santos-Aviles, a staff member who later committed suicide by lighting herself on fire. A subsequent news report also alleged that he inundated another woman with inappropriate text messages.
“There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all,” Gonzales said in statement released Monday. “When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office. It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas.”
Gonzales’ announcement came about an hour after U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-California, announced his own departure from the House amid a swirl of allegations of sexual misconduct and sexual assault. He also dropped from the California governor’s race amid the firestorm, leaving that contest wide open.
The House Ethics Committee opened investigations into both men after the allegations of their misconduct came to light.
U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, who serves on the committee, told NPR that all members of Congress are entitled to due process but should hold themselves to a higher standard.
“I’m always an advocate of holding Congress and members of Congress accountable and making sure they’re subject to the same laws as the American people,” said Subramanyam, a Virginia Democrat.
University of Minnesota Law School professor Richard Painter told NPR that the evidence against Gonzales and Swalwell is overwhelming. Their resignations made sense given the additional damage they could face from full investigations, he added.
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