As RedState reported on Monday, Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales (TX-23), announced he would resign effective Tuesday.
Hot on the heels of Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-14) revealing that he was resigning from Congress, GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales (TX-23) has announced that he will be resigning as well.
Gonzales posted a brief note about it on X at 6:30 ET, an hour after Swalwell posted his:
There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all. When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office. It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas.
— Rep. Tony Gonzales (@RepTonyGonzales) April 13, 2026
Gonzales, who, like Swalwell, faced an expulsion vote over his own sexual abuse scandal where a staffer committed suicide, dropped his reelection bid for Congress just days after the primary put him in a May runoff with GOP candidate and 2A advocate Brandon Herrera.
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Mid-afternoon on Tuesday, both Gonzales' and Swalwell's resignation letters were read into the House record. Gonzales' resignation will be effective midnight on Wednesday.
BREAKING: Reps Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Tony Gonzalez (R-TX) have both just officially resigned from Congress. The House clerk just read off both of their resignation letters.
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) April 14, 2026
Gonzales’s resignation letter was succinct and to the point:
Enclosed is my resignation letter to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, effective April 14, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. It has been my privilege to serve the residents of Texas’ 23rd congressional district.
Sincerely,
Tony Gonzales, Member of Congress.
Tuesday also marks the swearing in of Congressman-Elect Clay Fuller (GA-14), who won a runoff election to complete the remainder of the seat held by Marjorie Taylor Greene. With that addition, plus the removal of one Democrat and one Republican representative, the Republicans hold a majority of 217.
With the resignations of Swalwell & Gonzales PLUS the expected swearing in today of Rep.-elect Clay Fuller (R-Ga.), the House will have 217 Republicans, 213 Democrats, 1 Independent and 4 vacancies.
— John Bresnahan (@bresreports) April 14, 2026
That's a two-vote margin for Republicans. Huge
On the heels of Gonzales' resignation, TX-23 Republican candidate Brandon Herrera issued this statement:
Official statement:
I am glad to see real repercussions for the heinous sexual improprieties that both Tony Gonzales and Eric Swalwell have exhibited in Congress. I do however hate that Tony’s actions have left a vacancy for the representation of District 23.
In the meantime, I promise to do everything in my power to advocate for the constituents of this district at a federal level in the interim until I’m able to take the seat officially after November.
Official statement:
— Brandon Herrera (@TheAKGuy) April 14, 2026
I am glad to see real repercussions for the heinous sexual improprieties that both Tony Gonzales and Eric Swalwell have exhibited in Congress. I do however hate that Tony’s actions have left a vacancy for the representation of District 23.
In the meantime,… pic.twitter.com/KHUb746lT0
A forward thinking and confident statement by Herrera. Hopefully his campaign and a win in November will go far in expunging the rot caused by Gonzales and his wicked actions.
Under Texas law, a vacancy in the House of Representatives can only be filled by a special election; that election "shall be held on the first uniform election date occurring on or after the 36th day after the date the election is ordered."
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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