GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales Under Fire: Mounting Calls for Resignation Amid Scandalous Affair Allegations and Staffer’s Tragic Death
By Staff Reporter | February 23, 2026
Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales of Texas is facing intense pressure from within his own party to resign following explosive allegations of an extramarital affair with a former staffer who later died by suicide. The controversy, which has escalated rapidly in recent days, threatens to upend Gonzales’ reelection bid just ahead of a contentious primary election.[1][2][4]
Allegations Surface from Text Messages and Family Claims
The scandal centers on Regina Santos-Aviles, a former aide in Gonzales’ office, who died in September 2025 after setting herself on fire in a tragic act of self-immolation. Newly revealed text messages, obtained by outlets including CBS News and The Texas Tribune, appear to show Gonzales sending explicit messages to Santos-Aviles, including requests for a “sexy pic.”[4][6]
One exchange highlighted in reports shows Gonzales pushing for a sexual relationship despite House rules prohibiting such interactions between lawmakers and staffers. Santos-Aviles reportedly replied, “This is going too far boss,” but the pair allegedly met alone at a cabin shortly afterward.[6]
Santos-Aviles’ husband, Adrian Aviles, discovered the alleged affair and sent a group text from her phone to Gonzales and several staffers, stating he had learned of “she’s been having an affair on me with your boss Tony Gonzales for some time now.” Aviles’ attorney, Bobby Barrera, claims the congressman’s conduct contributed to her declining mental health, asserting the family—not Gonzales—is the true victim.[3][4]
Republican Lawmakers Demand Gonzales Step Down
The allegations have ignited a firestorm among House Republicans, particularly women in the party. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) became the first congressional Republican to call for Gonzales’ resignation on Monday, urging the House GOP’s campaign arm to back his primary challenger.[1][2][4]
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) labeled the texts “disgusting and inexcusable,” decrying them as an abuse of power and calling for zero tolerance. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) expressed outrage, stating, “As a woman, this is really disgusting to see. Not to mention, it brings dishonor on the House of Representatives.” Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) called the story “shocking and disgusting.”[2][4]
Members of the House Freedom Caucus, including Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas), Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), and Rep. Nancy Mace, have echoed these sentiments. Gill posted on social media, “America deserves better. Tony should withdraw from the race.” Burchett told Axios, “He needs to go.”[1]
Gonzales Denies Affair, Accuses Family of Blackmail
Gonzales has vehemently denied the affair, accusing Santos-Aviles’ husband and attorney of attempted blackmail. In a post on X, he shared an image of a purported message from the family’s lawyer discussing a $300,000 settlement in exchange for a non-disclosure agreement. “I WILL NOT BE BLACKMAILED,” Gonzales wrote. “Disgusting to see people profit politically and financially off a tragic death.”[1][5][7]
The congressman has also called for the release of the Uvalde Police Department’s report on Santos-Aviles’ death, noting that the Texas Attorney General’s Office has ruled certain records must remain sealed. His campaign has blamed primary rival Brandon Herrera for amplifying the allegations.[7]
Barrera countered that he possesses “substantial evidence” from Santos-Aviles’ phone supporting the affair and accused Gonzales of playing the victim in desperation.[7]
Speaker Johnson Walks Delicate Line Amid Slim Majority
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who endorsed Gonzales before the allegations broke, acknowledged their seriousness but stopped short of withdrawing support. “I endorsed Tony before these allegations surfaced; they are indeed serious, and I have advised him to address this appropriately with his constituents,” Johnson told reporters.[1][2]
Johnson’s position is complicated by the GOP’s razor-thin House majority. The speaker has handled the matter similarly to past scandals, such as those involving expelled Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), emphasizing due process amid an ongoing Ethics Committee review in related cases.[2]
Primary Showdown Looms in Texas’ 23rd District
The drama unfolds as Gonzales defends his seat in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, a safe GOP area along the U.S.-Mexico border. He narrowly defeated gun rights activist Brandon Herrera by about 350-400 votes in the 2024 primary rematch. President Trump has endorsed Gonzales, but Herrera has seized on the scandal, running ads accusing him of a “taxpayer funded affair with a married staffer, which led to her death by self-immolation.”[3][4][6]
Herrera rebuffed Gonzales’ blackmail claims, tweeting, “Calling for your resignation over something you objectively did (and then lied about on camera to cover up) isn’t a ‘political attack.’ It’s called accountability.”[6]
Broader GOP Reckoning on Misconduct Allegations
The backlash from GOP women highlights growing frustration with party leadership’s handling of sexual misconduct claims. Boebert and Luna have criticized male leaders for downplaying issues, drawing parallels to efforts to seal Jeffrey Epstein files and a failed censure of Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) over domestic assault allegations.[2]
As the primary approaches in eight days, the scandal poses headaches for Johnson, Trump, and the national GOP. Gonzales’ office has not responded to repeated media inquiries, leaving constituents and colleagues awaiting clarity.[5]
This story is developing, with potential Ethics Committee involvement and litigation on the horizon. The fallout could reshape the Republican primary landscape and test party unity in Washington.