Several conservative House Republicans are demanding the immediate resignation of Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) following the release of damning leaked text messages.
The scandal centers on a series of leaked communications between Gonzales and Regina Santos-Aviles, a 35-year-old regional district director for his office.
She died in September 2025 after setting herself on fire at her home; her death was ruled a suicide by the Bexar County medical examiner’s office.
As The Gateway Pundit reported last year, Rep. Tony Gonzales, a married father of six, is accused of carrying on an extramarital affair with his senior aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, who tragically died after dousing herself in gasoline and setting herself on fire.
35-year-old Aviles, a married mother of an eight-year-old son who was separated from her husband, Adrian Aviles, was often seen by Gonzales’s side. Such appearances included high-profile events, such as Elon Musk’s 2023 tour of the Mexico border in Eagle Pass.
Gonzales discussed the rumored affair at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, telling a reporter there was no veracity to any affair while also denying knowledge of Aviles’ passing.
“The rumors are completely untruthful. I am generally untrusting of these outlets,” Gonzales stated.
“‘Regina’s family has asked for privacy. If it was your family or any of our families, I would argue that you would want privacy as well, he added. “I don’t know exactly what happened. Nobody has contacted me. I haven’t contacted anyone.”
“I’m waiting for a final report. I think that would make a lot of sense.”
Gonzales, a so-called Republican who has repeatedly betrayed conservative principles by voting for radical gun control measures after the Uvalde tragedy and cozying up to the Biden administration on border issues, now finds himself at the center of a MeToo-style scandal that reeks of hypocrisy and moral decay.
The leaked texts, obtained by outlets like 24Sight News, paint a picture of a predatory boss exploiting his position for personal gratification.
In one exchange, Gonzales reportedly demanded “sexy pics” from Santos-Aviles late at night, inquiring about her favorite sexual positions and pushing her into uncomfortable territory while she was vulnerable and married.
The texts also she questioned whether he hired her because he found she attractive and indicate he asked her about sexual preferences in which she replies “This is going too far boss.” pic.twitter.com/EwSTtMXxJ6
— Juliegrace Brufke (@juliegraceb) February 23, 2026
In the texts, the late staffer also questions whether Gonzales was intoxicated while asking her for images and sexual content. pic.twitter.com/B3kP1KVwyH
— Juliegrace Brufke (@juliegraceb) February 23, 2026
The staffer’s widower, Adrian Aviles, through his attorney Bobby Barrera, has come forward with over 3,500 text messages that allegedly confirm the affair and harassment.
The texts indicate multiple staffers in the office knew about the alleged affair. pic.twitter.com/HvbBtcniqs
— Juliegrace Brufke (@juliegraceb) February 23, 2026
Aviles discovered the messages, leading to the couple’s separation, and Santos-Aviles’ subsequent spiral into depression.
Instead of taking responsibility, Gonzales has shamelessly accused the grieving husband of “blackmail” after Barrera sought a settlement under the Congressional Accountability Act for sexual harassment and retaliation.
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) was the first to call out Gonzales publicly, posting on X: “@RepTonyGonzales, RESIGN!”
.@RepTonyGonzales, RESIGN! https://t.co/sOjPAt0CWS
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) February 23, 2026
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) joined the chorus, demanding Gonzales step down immediately.
“A young woman is dead. Regina Santos-Aviles took her own life.
The allegations against Congressman Tony Gonzales are deeply disturbing: a sitting Member of Congress accused of soliciting explicit photos from a staffer and subjecting her to graphic sexual texts. This is an abuse of power.
Congressional staff serve their country. They should never have to endure predatory behavior from the people they work for.
Congressman Gonzales must address these allegations and resign.”
A young woman is dead. Regina Santos-Aviles took her own life.
The allegations against Congressman Tony Gonzales are deeply disturbing: a sitting Member of Congress accused of soliciting explicit photos from a staffer and subjecting her to graphic sexual texts. This is an abuse…
— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) February 23, 2026
Reps. Brandon Gill (R-TX) and Tim Burchett (R-TN) piled on, with Gill urging Gonzales to “drop out of the race” and Burchett bluntly stating, “He needs to go.”
America deserves better.
Tony should drop out of the race. https://t.co/djJJVu7dJm
— Brandon Gill (@realBrandonGill) February 23, 2026
NEW: GOP Rep. Tim Burchett tells me of Tony Gonzales, “He needs to go.” https://t.co/pGZWLX9NAn
— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) February 23, 2026
Even Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) condemned the messages as “disgusting,” calling for all colleagues to denounce such behavior.
“The entire Texas delegation, as well as every single other Member of Congress, should be condemning a sitting Member of Congress asking for explicit photos of their staff. As a woman, this is really disgusting to see. Not to mention, it brings dishonor on the House of Representatives. I am so sick of people not calling this crap out. Again, like I’ve said before, this is not the only case of this crap up here. @RepTonyGonzales, shame on you.”
The entire Texas delegation, as well as every single other Member of Congress, should be condemning a sitting Member of Congress asking for explicit photos of their staff. As a woman, this is really disgusting to see. Not to mention, it brings dishonor on the House of…
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) February 23, 2026
More from CNN:
House Speaker Mike Johnson is resisting calls, including from within his own ranks, to pressure Rep. Tony Gonzales to resign amid allegations he had an affair with a district staffer who later died by suicide, telling reporters he wants investigations to play out first.
Johnson conceded the accusations were “very serious” and that he has urged the San Antonio Republican to address them with his constituents directly. But the Republican leader insisted ongoing investigations should play out before he would step down.
“There are serious accusations, and it must be taken seriously, and I’ve told him he’s got to address that with his constituents and, and he’s in the process of doing that,” the speaker told CNN.
“It is my understanding there’s an investigation in the state of Texas on these matters and has been going for some time, and the Office of Congressional Conduct has also, it’s been reported, they’ve been looking at it and all of that was news to me. But I … think as in every case like this, you have to allow the investigations to play out and all the facts to come out.”
The post LEAKED TEXT SCANDAL: House Republicans Call on Rep. Tony Gonzales to Resign After Messages Allegedly Show Repeated Requests for Nude Photos from Staffer Who Later Died By Lighting Herself on Fire appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.