Rep. Lauren Boebert first called on Rep. Tony Gonzales to resign over affair allegations
Allegations involve staffer Regina Ann Santos-Aviles who died by suicide in September 2025
Multiple House Republicans joined calls for Gonzales to resign or drop reelection bid
Gonzales denies the affair claims and claims he's being blackmailed
House ethics investigation is ongoing into the allegations
📖 Full Retelling
Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado on Monday became the first of several House Republicans to call on Rep. Tony Gonzales to resign after allegations surfaced that he had an affair with a staffer who later committed suicide. The Texas Republican has denied having an affair with Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who died in September after dousing herself with gasoline and setting herself on fire outside her Uvalde, Texas home at age 35. The calls for resignation gained momentum as newly reported alleged text messages between the lawmaker and Santos-Aviles began circulating after being reported by the San Antonio Express-News, with Ms. Boebert writing '@RepTonyGonzales, RESIGN!' on social media platform X. Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina joined the calls, stating 'Tony Gonzales should resign immediately and be held fully accountable for what he's done,' while other Republicans including Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Brandon Gill of Texas called on Gonzales to drop his reelection bid. Gonzales has pushed back against the allegations, claiming he will not be 'blackmailed' and posting a screenshot from an email from the attorney for Santos-Aviles' widower, who hit back by denying any blackmail and accusing Gonzales of a 'consistent pattern of evasion, refusal to take accountability, and outright lies.' The Texas congressman is now facing a congressional ethics investigation by the Office of Congressional Conduct over the accusations, with House Speaker Mike Johnson stating the allegations are 'serious accusations, and it must be taken seriously,' though he stopped short of calling for Gonzales to resign.
🏷️ Themes
Political Ethics, Congressional Scandal, Sexual Misconduct
Lauren Opal Boebert ( BOH-bərt; née Roberts; born December 19, 1986) is an American politician, businesswoman, and gun rights activist serving as the U.S. representative for Colorado's 4th congressional district beginning in 2025, having previously represented Colorado's 3rd congressional district f...
# Tony Gonzales
**Ernest Anthony Gonzales II** (born October 10, 1980) is an American politician and United States Navy veteran serving as the U.S. Representative for Texas's 23rd congressional district. A member of the Republican Party, he assumed office in 2021. His district is notable for encomp...
The House Republican Conference is the party caucus for Republicans in the United States House of Representatives. It hosts meetings, and is the primary forum for communicating the party's message to members. The conference produces a daily publication of political analysis under the title Legislati...
This situation matters because it involves serious allegations of misconduct by a sitting U.S. Representative, potentially violating House ethics rules. The growing calls for resignation from fellow Republicans highlight internal party divisions and could impact the party's image and the balance of power in a closely divided House.
Context & Background
Rep. Tony Gonzales is a Republican Congressman from Texas
Allegations involve an affair with a staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who died by suicide in September
The Office of Congressional Conduct has opened an ethics investigation into the matter
Text messages allegedly show Gonzales requesting explicit photos and planning meetings
What Happens Next
The congressional ethics investigation by the Office of Congressional Conduct will continue its probe into whether House rules were violated. Rep. Gonzales faces pressure to address the allegations with his constituents while maintaining his denial and reelection campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the specific allegations against Rep. Gonzales?
He is accused of having an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide, and allegedly sent texts requesting explicit photos.
Which Republicans have called for his resignation?
Reps. Lauren Boebert, Nancy Mace, Anna Paulina Luna, and Brandon Gill have publicly demanded he resign or drop his reelection bid.
What is the status of the ethics investigation?
The Office of Congressional Conduct began an investigation months ago into the alleged affair and potential House rules violations.
Original Source
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