Republicans in Congress are increasingly distancing themselves from one of their own, as allegations mount against Congressman Tony Gonzales. The Texas Republican is embroiled in a scandal involving accusations that he solicited explicit images from a staffer during an alleged affair that preceded her tragic death.
The controversy centers around Gonzales, 45, and his former staff member, Regina Aviles, 35. Gonzales has publicly denied any romantic involvement with Aviles, who passed away in September in a distressing incident where she set herself ablaze. Despite his denials, Gonzales claims that Aviles’ widower, Adrian, has been attempting to blackmail him regarding the affair allegations.
Details of their alleged relationship surfaced last month, initially reported by the Daily Mail, which highlighted the supposed affair between Gonzales and Aviles. The situation intensified this week with the publication of text messages from Aviles’ phone, further illuminating the nature of their relationship.
Calls for Gonzales’ resignation have grown louder, with Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert from Colorado taking to social media to demand, “@RepTonyGonzales, RESIGN!” Her post included images purportedly showing explicit exchanges between Gonzales and Aviles, suggesting an inappropriate professional boundary was crossed.
The text messages reportedly reveal Gonzales making explicit requests of Aviles, inquiring about her personal preferences and soliciting intimate photos, blurring the lines of a professional relationship and leading to increased scrutiny from within his party.
Those messages allegedly show sexually explicit requests the congressman made of his staffer, including asking her about her bedroom preferences and for her to send steamy pictures to him, her boss.
‘Congressman Gonzales must address these allegations and resign,’ Congresswoman Nancy Mace of South Carolina reacted on X.
‘America deserves better,’ Texas Republican Congressman Brandon Gill posted on X after the messages were published. ‘Tony should drop out of the race.’
Congressman Tony Gonzales is facing pressure to resign after sexually-charged text messages were published, allegedly showing the lawmaker inquiring about his late staffer’s sexual preferences. Gonzales also allegedly asked her to send him ‘a sexy pic’
Regina Aviles, 35, worked as Gonzales’ Texas staff when the two allegedly had an affair. She died by suicide in September after setting herself on fire
Republicans Boebert and Luna have called on Gonzales to either resign or drop his reelection bid
Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna later piled on, writing on X: ‘I agree. It is time for Tony to let someone else represent the great people of TX. Tony, you should drop out of the race.’
The alleged affair is a potential pitfall for Gonzales ahead of his primary election on March 3. Early voting in the race began on February 17.
Calls for the congressman to resign, or at least not run for reelection, will give ammo to Gonzales’ Republican primary opponent, Brandon Herrera, who has also called on the Texas Republican to give up his seat amid the scandal.
GOP leadership on Capitol Hill has also expressed concern over the story.
‘There are serious accusations, and it must be taken seriously, and I’ve told him he’s got to address that with his constituents,’ Speaker Mike Johnson said on Monday.
Republicans currently maintain a minuscule 218 – 214 majority in the House of Representatives, meaning they can only lose two GOP supporters on any party-line vote and still pass legislation.
Gonzales’ alleged affair has caught the eyes of congressional investigators, too.
The Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC) has reportedly wrapped up a probe into the Republican’s relationship, two sources told NBC News.
Gonzales posed as a family man in his campaign photo, showing his six children with his wife, Angel Gonzales, who served on the congressman’s 2020 campaign as treasurer and custodian of records
Gonzales (left) and Aviles (right) with Elon Musk in Texas in September 2023
However, the finalized report cannot be published within a 60-day window of an election, according to House rules.
‘Send me a sexy pic,’ a May 2024 text message sent by Gonzales to Aviles at 12:15 am reads.
Aviles later replied that she had a long week and ‘you don’t really want a hit picture of me.’
The congressman appears pushy in the exchange, rebuffing Aviles’ attempt to forgo the picture exchange.
‘No, I just don’t like taking pictures of myself,’ Aviles told the lawmaker. He later pushed back, writing, ‘I am just such a visual person.’
The Republican later asked candidly about which sexual positions his staffer prefers.
‘A***?’ he asked her.
‘Never,’ Aviles responded. ‘This is too far Tony.’
Gonzales’ office did not respond to the Daily Mail’s request for comment.
