Tony Gonzales Faces Bipartisan Calls to Resign After Release of Explicit Texts
Newly released text messages between Rep. tony gonzales and a former aide have prompted bipartisan calls for his resignation, intensifying a controversy that had already surrounded the Texas Republican. The developments matter now because the disclosures are unfolding in the run-up to a primary election next week and have drawn public rebukes from figures across his own party.
Newly released text messages and GOP reaction
On Monday, images of text messages made public set off a wave of criticism from House Republicans. Representative Lauren Boebert posted the single-word demand "Resign!" alongside images of the texts. Representative Anna Paulina Luna urged colleagues to condemn Gonzales for "asking for explicit photos" of a member of his staff. Representative Nancy Mace called for him to step down "immediately" rather than "campaigning like nothing happened. " Other GOP members, including Texas Representatives Chip Roy and Brandon Gill, stopped short of demanding immediate removal but urged Gonzales to end his re-election campaign in light of the allegations.
Regina Santos-Aviles, the alleged affair and a past suicide
The controversy stems in part from a June report in a San Antonio newspaper that a former aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, had sent a text saying she "had an affair with our boss. " Santos-Aviles, who was identified as a former aide to the congressman, died by suicide last year. A former unnamed aide provided that message to the newspaper and shared the same evidence with.
Sexually explicit messages disclosed by husband’s lawyer
This week a lawyer for Santos-Aviles' husband disclosed additional, sexually explicit text messages that the congressman allegedly sent to his former aide. The disclosures expanded the scope of the allegations and are directly tied to the recent calls for resignation.
Media review and verification status
One outlet has not independently verified the authenticity of the texts, though the messages were reviewed in detail by, the San Antonio Express-News, The, NBC News, Politico and The Texas Tribune. The widespread review by multiple news organizations has amplified scrutiny of the content and the political repercussions.
Gonzales' public posture, accusations and endorsements
Gonzales, a married father of six who has long denied having a sexual relationship with the former aide, has said very little publicly ahead of next week's primary election in Texas. He has accused his primary rival, YouTube personality Brandon Herrera, and Santos-Aviles' husband of attempting to blackmail him. At the same time, the president formally endorsed Gonzales last week and his backing for the incumbent remains in place.
House leadership response and what makes this notable
House Speaker Mike Johnson characterized the underlying allegations as "serious" and has urged Gonzales to address the matter "in an appropriate way with his constituents. " What makes this notable is the convergence of bipartisan pressure, an endorsement from the president that remains intact, and the proximity of a contested primary next week — a combination that crystallizes immediate political stakes for the congressman and his colleagues.
The unfolding sequence is concrete: newly released texts prompted public calls for resignation on Monday; a lawyer for Santos-Aviles' husband disclosed additional explicit messages; multiple national outlets examined the texts; and senior figures in the GOP have publicly urged Gonzales to respond, even as some stop short of demanding he leave office. The next week will determine whether the campaign season or the controversy reshapes his immediate political future.
