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House Democrat investigated over alleged 'inappropriate sexual contact' with staffer

Video Rep. Tony Gonzales ends re-election bid amid House Ethics probe into affair Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, confessed to the extramarital relationship during a radio appearance one day after advancing to a GOP primary runoff.

The House Ethics Committee is investigating a sitting Democratic lawmaker over allegations of sexual misconduct.

The committee, which acts as the House of Representatives' internal watchdog, announced Monday that it is investigating Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., for allegations including "inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer."

He's the latest House lawmaker to be accused of misconduct or harassment in relation to aides on Capitol Hill, an issue that's rocked Congress and forced a new reckoning over rules of engagement for lawmakers in Washington.

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Gomez, who has been in Congress since 2017, is known as the founder and chair of the Congressional Dads Caucus. According to its website, the caucus was created to "ensure that dads step up at home and in the halls of Congress."

Fox News Digital reached out to a spokesperson for the congressman for a response.

More information was not immediately provided by the Ethics Committee, which typically operates in secrecy until it releases its final findings on a given matter. It did note that the allegations are not evidence of wrongdoing.

Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., leaves the Capitol Hill Club after a meeting of the House Republican Conference on March 25, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)

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For example, the panel released an explosive report this summer that detailed sexual harassment accusations against Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., targeting two young staffers who worked in his office. The committee recommended censuring Edwards, a form of punishment that's largely symbolic with no practical effects.

The resulting blowback, however, pushed Edwards to drop his re-election bid despite denying any wrongdoing.

The New York Post reported earlier this year that Gomez was seen kissing a "much younger" congressional aide in the summer of 2023.

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He confessed to CNN this past June, "Years ago, I made personal mistakes outside my marriage that have caused real pain to my wife and family. Although my actions were consensual in nature and haven't violated the law or House ethics rules, that doesn't diminish the impact that these mistakes have made on those I care about the most."

Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.

Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com

Read original at Fox News

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