A growing number of sitting Republican lawmakers are calling for their colleague, Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales, to resign amidst revelations of an inappropriate relationship with a staffer.
Rep. Gonzales has denied any sexual relationship with the staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, who died in September after setting herself on fire when the claims initially surfaced late last year.
Newly released text messages show that Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas repeatedly pressured a female staffer for sexually suggestive contact and explicit photos, even after she told him his messages went “too far,” according to copies of the exchanges obtained by multiple news outlets.
The messages, sent on May 9, 2024, were shared publicly by Adrian Aviles, the widower of Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who served as Gonzales’ regional district director. In the texts, Gonzales sent late-night messages asking the married mother, who was also pursuing her own life outside of work, to “send me a sexy pic” and pressed her about her sexual preferences despite her repeated objections.
Santos-Aviles responded to Gonzales’ overtures by warning him that he was going “too far,” but the congressman — a married father of six — continued to pursue a personal relationship, including arranging private meetings, the texts show. At times, he described sexual scenarios and asked her about her favorite positions. (RELATED: Alleged Affair Involving Rep. Tony Gonzales Surfaces After Aide’s Death)
The graphic messages have renewed scrutiny on the allegations and prompted calls for Gonzales to step down by three Republican congresswomen, Lauren Boebert (CO), Anna Paulina Luna (FL), and Nancy Mace (SC).
On Tuesday, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) joined the trio in publicly demanding Gonzales’ resignation, taking to X to ask why “other men in the GOP” had not called for the same and demanding President Donald Trump withdraw his endorsement, which he extended in December.
“There will be an opportunity for all the details and facts to come out. What you’ve seen is not all the facts,” Gonzales said. “And there will be an ample time for all of that to come out.”
The Texas Congressman made the comments while leaving the office of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), but a source told The Hill the two did not meet. Gonzales had shown up unannounced, and Johnson was in a meeting at the time.
Johnson has said that while the allegations are “very serious,” that independent investigations into the allegations need to play out.
It is against the House’s code of conduct for members to have a sexual relationship with a staff member.
In response to the allegation against Gonzales, Rep. Mace on Monday introduced a resolution directing the House Ethics Committee to preserve and publicly release all reports on investigations into members of Congress regarding allegations of sexual harassment of staff or of a sexual relationship with a member of their staff.
“If you sexually harass someone in Congress you do not get to hide behind closed doors,” Mace said in a statement. “Tony Gonzales showed us what is happening in Congress. But he is not the only one. The American people deserve answers. Staff deserve answers. Women deserve answers. No more protection for predators in Congress. We are going to shine a light on every single one of them.”
The resolution directs the Ethics Committee to make public, within 60 days after adoption, “all reports, including any conclusions, draft reports, recommendations, attachments, exhibits, and accompanying materials, with the personally identifiable information of victims or alleged victims redacted, related to the Committee’s investigations into violations” regarding alleged sexual harassment or sexual misconduct.
Later on Tuesday, Rep. Gonzales said he has no plan to resign.
“I’m not gonna resign. I work every day for the people of Texas,” Gonzales told CNN on Tuesday afternoon in the Capitol.
As new details continue to emerge Gonzales March 3 primary is becoming more competitive by the day. Brandon Herrera, a YouTuber who produces firearms content, is challenging Gonzales in a primary after being narrowly defeated two years ago. Herrera has called on Gonzales to resign in light of the information.
READ NEXT: ‘ShamWow Guy’ Returns To Spotlight With Wild Congressional Campaign Announcement
Just another horny, perverted pol. Nuthin’ to see here. ($@rcasm).