March 5 (UPI) -- Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, acknowledged having a relationship with a former staffer who later died by suicide after months of denials.
"I made a mistake, and I had a lapse in judgment, and there was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions," he told conservative radio host Joe Pags after he asked about the affair. "Since then, I've reconciled with my wife, Angel. I've asked God to forgive me, which he has, and my faith is as strong as ever."
"I had absolutely nothing to do with her tragic passing. And in fact, I was shocked just as much as everyone else," he told Pags.
Gonzales on Tuesday faced challenger YouTuber Brandon Herrera in a Republican primary for his seat, and neither got more than 50% of the vote. Now, he must begin a 12-week campaign for a runoff vote on May 23. The winner of the runoff will face Democrat Katy Padilla Stout in November.
"2 weeks ago, this man called me a liar because I accused him of committing the heinous acts that he just publicly admitted to doing. Is there anyone left who still trusts this now objectively proven liar?" Herrera said on X.
