Rep. Tony Gonzales Accused by Second Staffer of Sending Explicit Texts
A second former staffer of Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas, has accused him of sending sexually explicit text messages while she was employed in his office. This allegation follows earlier claims involving another congressional aide.
Details of the Allegations
The former political director, who worked on Gonzales’ 2020 campaign, stated that he repeatedly requested sexual encounters and nude photographs through text messages. The accusations were first reported by the San Antonio Express-News. The staffer confirmed the accuracy of details and messages cited in the article.
According to her, she chose to come forward now to hold Gonzales accountable for his actions. NBC News typically protects the identities of alleged victims unless they decide to go public. In this case, the former staffer opted to share her story.
Background on Previous Allegations
This latest revelation arrives shortly after Gonzales withdrew from his primary runoff elections amid an investigation by the House Ethics Committee. The committee is looking into his past relationship with another congressional aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, who tragically died by suicide last year. It was reported that Gonzales exchanged explicit messages with her in May 2024, corroborated by her widower.
Gonzales has previously acknowledged a lapse in judgment regarding his relationship with Santos-Aviles. The Ethics Committee is currently assessing whether he violated House conduct rules that prohibit sexual relationships with congressional subordinates.
Gonzales’ Political Future
Despite the escalating allegations, Gonzales has indicated his intention to serve out his term, which concludes in January 2027. His congressional seat remains significant, as Republicans currently maintain a slender majority.
Response from Gonzales’ Office
When approached for comment, a spokeswoman for Gonzales ended the phone call abruptly and did not respond to follow-up messages. The former staffer characterized Gonzales’ behavior as “sexual bullying.” She expressed a desire to see an end to such misconduct in the workplace.
Personal Experiences
The former political director, who has a military background and experience as a defense contractor, mentioned that Gonzales visited her home for campaign discussions but did not pursue physical contact. However, his persistent textual advances were unwanted, with her declining his requests on numerous occasions.
- 47 responses turned down by the staffer.
- She referred to her interactions as akin to “dealing with a toddler.”
- She confirmed that there were more explicit messages not disclosed publicly.
The former staffer has not been in contact with Gonzales since early 2021, and she emphasized the necessity of addressing such inappropriate behavior in future workplaces.
