U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas, is facing new allegations that he sent sexually explicit text messages to a former campaign staffer during his initial bid for Congress in 2020. The reports, first detailed by the San Antonio Express-News, suggest a pattern of pursuing subordinates that extends years before a separate, previously reported affair with a congressional aide.
The newly surfaced messages allegedly include Gonzales asking the staffer “What kind of panties do you wear?,” repeatedly soliciting nude photos, and describing his desire to have sex with her. The woman, who served as the political director for his 2020 campaign, confirmed to NBC News that the details and messages cited in the reports are accurate. She stated that the relationship never became physical but that she is coming forward now to ensure Gonzales is held accountable for his past actions according to NBC News.
These allegations emerge as a significant blow to the congressman, who is married and a father of six. They follow the revelation of a separate affair in 2024 with a district staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, which led to an investigation by the House Ethics Committee and ultimately ended Gonzales’ reelection bid. The scandal was further compounded by the death of Santos-Aviles, who died by suicide in September 2025 as reported by the San Antonio Express-News.
The House Ethics Committee is currently investigating whether Gonzales violated the House code of conduct, which explicitly prohibits members of Congress from engaging in sexual relationships with their congressional subordinates. Even as the committee has declined to comment on the latest allegations regarding the 2020 campaign staffer, the investigation into his relationship with Santos-Aviles remains active per NBC News.
Timeline of Allegations and Ethical Investigations
The controversy surrounding Rep. Tony Gonzales involves two distinct periods of alleged misconduct with staff members. The first involves his 2020 campaign, and the second involves his official congressional office in 2024. The House Ethics Committee’s focus has primarily been on the latter, as the rules regarding subordinates are strictly enforced within the congressional workplace.
In May 2024, Gonzales exchanged sexually explicit messages with Regina Santos-Aviles, who served as the regional district director in his Uvalde office from 2021 until her death according to NBC News. This relationship was acknowledged by Gonzales in a podcast appearance last month, where he described the affair as a “lapse in judgment” and a “mistake.”
The situation escalated following the death of Santos-Aviles in September 2025. A county medical examiner’s office determined the cause of death was suicide via self-immolation as reported by CNN. While Gonzales has denied any connection to her death, the news of the affair sparked widespread calls for his resignation and triggered the formal ethics probe.
The most recent allegations date back to June 2020. The political director of his first congressional campaign alleges that Gonzales used his position of power to solicit sexual favors and explicit imagery. This suggests that the behavior reported in 2024 may not have been an isolated “lapse in judgment” but rather a recurring pattern of behavior toward employees per CNN.
| Period | Staffer Role | Nature of Allegations | Status/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2020 | Campaign Political Director | Lewd texts, solicitation of nude photos and sex | Reported April 2026; staffer confirms accuracy |
| May 2024 | Regional District Director | Sexual affair and explicit messaging | Acknowledged by Gonzales; House Ethics probe |
| Sept 2025 | Regional District Director | Death of staffer by suicide | Medical examiner confirmed suicide; Gonzales denies link |
Impact on Political Career and House Rules
The intersection of these allegations has had a devastating impact on Gonzales’ political trajectory. Last month, the congressman dropped out of his primary runoff. This decision followed the House Ethics Committee’s announcement that it was investigating his relationship with Santos-Aviles per NBC News.
Under the U.S. House of Representatives’ code of conduct, sexual relationships between members and their subordinates are prohibited to prevent abuses of power and maintain a professional working environment. The Ethics Committee has sought “all documents and communications” relating to the relationship between Gonzales and Santos-Aviles, including reaching out to her widower, Adrian Aviles, for evidence as reported by the San Antonio Express-News.
The addition of the 2020 allegations complicates the narrative for Gonzales. While the House Ethics Committee’s jurisdiction is primarily focused on official congressional conduct, the revelation that he allegedly pursued a campaign staffer in a similar manner years prior paints a broader picture of his conduct with subordinates. The political director involved in the 2020 incident told NBC News that she felt it was necessary to come forward now so that the congressman could be held accountable per NBC News.
The Role of the House Ethics Committee
The House Ethics Committee serves as the primary watchdog for the conduct of members of Congress. Their investigation typically involves reviewing digital communications, interviewing witnesses, and determining if a member’s actions brought discredit upon the House. In this case, the investigation centers on the violation of the prohibition against sexual relationships with subordinates.
The committee’s process is often opaque, and they have declined to comment on the specific details of the latest 2020 allegations. However, the fact that they have formally requested communications from the family of a deceased staffer indicates the seriousness of the probe into the 2024 affair per the San Antonio Express-News.
Responses and Denials
Representative Gonzales has largely remained silent regarding the latest set of allegations. According to CNN, the congressman and his office did not respond to inquiries from the San Antonio Express-News regarding the 2020 text messages. CNN also reported that they have reached out to Gonzales’ office for comment but have not yet received a response per CNN.
His only significant admission to date has been the acknowledgment of the affair with Regina Santos-Aviles. In a podcast appearance, he characterized the relationship as a “lapse in judgment.” He has consistently denied any causal link between his actions and the subsequent death of Santos-Aviles by suicide per CNN.
The contrast between the two cases is notable: the 2020 allegations involve the solicitation of sex and nude photos without a reported physical relationship, while the 2024 case involved a confirmed romantic affair. Together, these accounts suggest a pattern of behavior that critics argue is incompatible with the responsibilities of a public official.
The next confirmed development in this matter will be the conclusion or further public updates from the House Ethics Committee regarding the investigation into the violation of the House code of conduct. We will continue to monitor official filings and committee statements for further information.
Do you have thoughts on the accountability of public officials in these matters? Share this story and join the conversation in the comments below.