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U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales firmly rejected mounting pressure from fellow Republicans to step down Tuesday, following allegations of an affair with a former staffer who later died by suicide.
The Texas congressman faces increasing calls for resignation after the San Antonio Express-News published a report detailing text messages in which the late staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, allegedly disclosed to a colleague that she had been involved in an affair with Gonzales.
“There will be opportunities for all of the details and facts to come out,” Gonzales told reporters when asked about the allegations. “What you’ve seen is not all the facts.”
Santos-Aviles, 35, died in September 2025 after setting herself on fire in the backyard of her Uvalde home. The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office subsequently ruled her death as suicide by self-immolation. An attorney representing her husband, Adrian Aviles, stated that he discovered the affair prior to his wife’s death.
The controversy comes at a particularly sensitive time for Gonzales, who is locked in a challenging primary race against Brandon Herrera, a gun manufacturer and YouTube influencer with nearly 4.2 million subscribers who calls himself “the AK Guy.” Gonzales narrowly defeated Herrera by fewer than 400 votes in their 2024 Republican runoff.
Several Republican colleagues have publicly called for Gonzales to resign. Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, and Nancy Mace of South Carolina have all demanded his immediate departure from Congress.
“Where are the other men in the GOP?” Massie posted on X, urging former President Donald Trump to revoke his endorsement of Gonzales, which Trump had issued in December.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has taken a more measured approach, acknowledging the seriousness of the accusations while advocating for due process. “If the accusation of something is going to be the litmus for someone being able to continue to serve in the House, a lot of people would have to resign or be removed or expelled from Congress,” Johnson said Monday. He indicated he would speak with Gonzales on Tuesday.
The timing of the controversy carries significant political implications beyond Gonzales’s district. His resignation would temporarily reduce the Republicans’ already slim majority in the House to 217-214 until at least March, when the first of three special elections to fill vacancies is scheduled in Georgia.
Gonzales, who represents a district stretching from San Antonio to El Paso along the U.S.-Mexico border, has six children with his wife. He has attempted to counter the allegations by claiming he is being blackmailed and is the target of “coordinated political attacks.”
The blackmail allegation stems from an email from attorney Robert Barrera, who represents Santos-Aviles’s husband. The correspondence discusses a potential lawsuit against Gonzales and a possible settlement with a nondisclosure agreement, mentioning a maximum recoverable amount of $300,000. Barrera has denied any blackmail attempt, characterizing Gonzales’s accusation as an effort to portray himself as a political victim.
The scandal has prompted additional legislative action. Representative Mace announced Tuesday that she has introduced a resolution to compel the House Ethics Commission to publicly release its reports and records regarding allegations of sexual harassment against members of Congress.
As the controversy unfolds, Gonzales maintains his refusal to resign, setting the stage for what could be a contentious primary battle on March 3 and potentially significant ramifications for the Republican Party’s control of the House during a critical election year.
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8 Comments
Political scandals often bring out strong emotions and opinions. While the details here are troubling, I think it’s important to withhold judgment until a full and impartial investigation can be completed.
Allegations of this nature are always concerning. I’m curious to learn more about the full context and circumstances surrounding this case. Transparency and accountability are crucial, regardless of political affiliation.
Agreed. These types of cases often involve sensitive personal matters that can be difficult to fully understand from the outside. I hope the investigation is thorough and fair.
This is a very disturbing set of allegations. I hope the investigation is thorough and fair, and that the full truth comes to light. Regardless of the specifics, this is a tragic situation for all involved.
This is a very serious and tragic situation. I hope the full truth comes to light and that all involved can find some peace and closure. Political scandals like this are always complex and it’s important to withhold judgment until all the facts are known.
Allegations of this nature are always concerning, especially when they involve the death of an individual. I hope the facts can be established objectively and that any wrongdoing is appropriately addressed.
Political scandals like this are always messy and complex. It’s important to withhold judgment until more details emerge. Transparency and due process should be the priorities moving forward.
This is a tragic situation all around. My condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the former staffer. I hope the truth can be uncovered, and that any wrongdoing is appropriately addressed.