Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales is under increasing pressure to resign following the emergence of alleged “sexually explicit” text messages between him and a former staff member. Regina Santos-Aviles, who was purportedly involved in an affair with Gonzales, tragically took her own life last year. As fallout from the revelations continues, key figures within his party are demanding accountability.
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The explicit messages reportedly date back to May 2024, during which Gonzales asked Santos-Aviles to send him intimate photographs. The exchanges, confirmed by NBC News, include questions about her preferences in sexual positions. Santos-Aviles expressed her discomfort in response, telling Gonzales, “this is too far, Tony”, and questioned if he had hired her solely for her appearance.
Bobby Barrera, attorney for Santos-Aviles’ widower, has confirmed the authenticity of the messages. These revelations follow recent statements from a former colleague of Santos-Aviles, who claimed she disclosed details of her romantic involvement with Gonzales just months before her death. This source described Santos-Aviles as a close friend and indicated he had previously raised concerns about her mental health, citing a decline following her husband’s discovery of the alleged affair.
The seriousness of the situation escalated when, in September 2025, emergency services were called to Santos-Aviles’ Texas residence, where she was later found to have died of self-immolation, a method described by the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office as an intentional act. According to her mother, Nora Ann Gonzalez, her daughter’s last words were a desperate plea, stating, “I don’t want to die.”
Since the release of the text messages on February 23, 2026, Gonzales has faced mounting calls for his resignation from several Republican colleagues. South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace described the communications as “disgusting and inexcusable.” In a statement on X, she outlined her concerns about Gonzales’ conduct, condemning the harassment of his staff while highlighting the tragic outcome for Santos-Aviles and her family. Mace firmly stated that power should not shield individuals from accountability for their actions.
Furthermore, Representative Lauren Boebert from Colorado joined the chorus, demanding Gonzales’ immediate resignation. She and Mace articulated a sentiment of zero tolerance towards any form of abuse of power, emphasising that such behaviour should not be tolerated across party lines.
However, not all Republican voices are aligned in calling for Gonzales to step down. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed a more cautious stance, suggesting that it might be premature to demand resignation. Johnson affirmed his prior endorsement of Gonzales’ reelection bid before the nature of the allegations came to light and indicated that Gonzales should take the time to address the issue with his constituents.
With the primary elections scheduled for November 3, the scrutiny surrounding Gonzales is expected to intensify. His ability to maintain support from his party and constituents remains uncertain as the situation evolves.
The tragic circumstances surrounding Regina Santos-Aviles’ death continue to reverberate within political circles, raising issues regarding workplace conduct and the responsibilities of those in positions of power. As Gonzales grapples with the fallout from these disclosures, the need for a transparent and thorough response to the allegations has never been more critical. The discourse surrounding this case highlights a broader conversation about accountability and the treatment of staff within political arenas, urging a reevaluation of workplace standards.