Kamal Ghorui
US Representative Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas, has said he will not resign despite increasing pressure from fellow lawmakers over allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with a former staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who later died by suicide.The row centres on text messages which appear to show Gonzales engaging in sexually explicit exchanges with Santos-Aviles in May 2024. In the messages, Gonzales allegedly asked the aide to “send me a sexy pic” and about her “favourite position.” Santos-Aviles responded at one point by saying, “This is going too far boss.”Gonzales has denied having an affair and has described the allegations as politically motivated. He told reporters he would not resign and said that not all facts had yet come out. “There will be an opportunity for all the details and facts to come out,” he said.The controversy has drawn attention because Santos-Aviles later died in September 2025 after setting herself on fire outside her home in Uvalde, Texas. Her death was ruled a suicide by self-immolation.Several House Republicans, including Representatives Thomas Massie, Lauren Boebert, Anna Paulina Luna and Nancy Mace, have publicly called for Gonzales to step down.House Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP leaders have expressed concern about the seriousness of the allegations but have stopped short of demanding Gonzales’s resignation while investigations continue. Johnson said investigations should be allowed to play out before drawing conclusions.Gonzales is also facing a competitive Republican primary scheduled for March 3, in which he is being challenged by Brandon Herrera, a gun rights activist and social media personality. US President Donald Trump has previously endorsed Gonzales in the race.
