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Two weeks ago, my colleague Nancy Preyor-Johnson and I were the first to report documentary evidence that U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales engaged in an affair with his aide, a violation of House Ethics rules.
Yesterday, the House Ethics Committee announced it would investigate him for allegations of sexual misconduct and preferential treatment of a staffer, building on an inquiry that the Office of Congressional Conduct began in the fall.
Gonzales finally admitted to the affair last night, calling it "a lapse in judgment" and adding, "I asked God to forgive me, which he has."
But if he hoped that would end his suffering, he was mistaken. After holding back for two weeks, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson today called on him to drop out of his race for reelection." "Politically, that's a death penalty," Johnson told reporters.
Whether Gonzales heeds the call or not, Johnson, three top House Republicans and the chair of the House Republican campaign arm signaled they're cutting off his campaign cash just as he heads into what will be a nail-biter of a Republican primary runoff election against Brandon Herrera. The 30-year-old YouTuber and gun manufacturer nearly ousted Gonzales in 2024, long before the scandal came to light.
Johnson and the National Republican Campaign Committee were lifelines for Gonzales in that cycle, and without them, his path to political survival is even more precarious. Add to that a threat from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.J., who told reporters today that he's in favor of expelling Gonzales.
"If an expulsion resolution were presented before the House of Representatives, I would, of course, support it," Jeffries said, as reported by Semafor.
I'll be following what comes next. In the meantime, read all about it here.
Have thoughts, questions or comments? I want to hear from you! Write me at bayliss.wagner@express-news.net.
Who's Up, Who's Down
A daily stock market-style report on key players in Texas politics.
Up: John Cornyn.
President Donald Trump has us all in suspense over who he's going to endorse in the U.S. Senate race. But there is growing speculation that Cornyn will be the pick. But while Trump has said he expects whoever he doesn't pick to drop out, Ken Paxton told a conservative media outlet that he has no intention of dropping out. He said he owes it to Texans to stay in the race. Trump did not like that answer, telling Politico in an interview: "That's bad for him to say. That is bad for him. So maybe, maybe that leads me to go the other direction." There's only one other direction to go. That's to Cornyn.
Down: Tony Gonzales.
The walls keep closing in a little more every day. The San Antonio Republican has now acknowledged having an extramarital affair with a congressional aide who died last year by setting herself on fire. Now, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders have called on Gonzales to abandon his bid for reelection to the 23rd Congressional District. But they have stopped short of calling on him to resign - a move that would drop the GOP majority to 217 seats - the exact number to pass a bill in the House.
What do you think? Hit reply and let me know.
What else is going on in Texas
 Photo by: Michael Wyke, Contributor |
The conservative firebrand praised the current handling of the program, including the ongoing block on Islamic schools. Read More |
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 Photo by: Associated Press And DMN Staff |
John Cornyn and Ken Paxton are competing in the GOP runoff for U.S. Senate, while several congressional and statewide contests are still in play. Read More |
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 Photo by: Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-St |
Steve Toth, an ordained pastor and the owner of a pool cleaning business, is known as one of the most conservative members of the Texas Legislature. Read More |
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 Photo by: Jenny Kane, Associated Press |
Council members say they are concerned at the amount of water and power used by the facilities, and suggested zoning changes to limit where they can be built. Read More |
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 Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle |
Experts said the shift reflects a national trend of shrinking enrollment at public schools, which face more school choice, demographic changes and other factors. Read More |
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 Photo by: Courtesy CyberTruck-One, CyberTruck-One |
Federal officials are considering a Mississippi man's bid to rename the South Texas coastline to "commemorate the location where inter-planetary travel was started." Read More |
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Pick of the day
Photo by: Austin American-Statesman
Kristi Noem is out. President Donald Trump on Thursday fired his embattled Homeland Security Secretary after mounting criticism over her leadership of the department, including the handling of the administration's immigration crackdown and disaster response. Trump, who said he would nominate Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin in her place, made the announcement on social media after Noem faced a two-day grilling on Capitol Hill this week from GOP members as well as Democrats.
What else I'm reading
The race to replace Jodey Arrington in Congress goes into overtime. Mateo Rosiles at the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reports Tom Sell and either Abraham Enriquez or Matt Smith will advance to the runoff. Fewer than 200 votes separated Enriquez and Smith according to the Texas Division of Elections.
