Rep. Tony Gonzales allegedly exchanged sexually explicit texts with aide Regina Santos-Aviles
Santos-Aviles died by suicide in September 2025 after her mental health declined
The aide's husband claims Gonzales coerced his wife into a sexual relationship
Gonzales is facing calls to resign from fellow Republicans amid the scandal
The scandal is emerging as Gonzales faces a primary challenge
📖 Full Retelling
Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas faced bipartisan criticism in February 2026 after newly revealed text messages showed him requesting explicit photos and engaging in sexually explicit conversations with his aide Regina Santos-Aviles, who later died by suicide in Uvalde, Texas in September 2025, amid allegations that the congressman's inappropriate conduct contributed to her mental health decline. The text exchange, which took place after midnight in early May 2024, included Gonzales asking for a 'sexy pic' and inquiring about Santos-Aviles' 'favorite position,' to which she responded with warnings that 'This is going too far boss' and 'This is too far, Tony.' Santos-Aviles also questioned whether Gonzales hired her because she was 'hot,' with the congressman denying this claim. Several weeks after this exchange, Santos-Aviles' husband Adrian discovered the alleged relationship, and in the following month, his mental health reportedly deteriorated significantly following what he described as the end of her alleged affair with the congressman. Santos-Aviles was found critically burned near her home in September 2025, with the Bexar County Medical Examiner ruling her death a suicide. The scandal has triggered significant political fallout, with several Republican colleagues including Reps. Lauren Boebert and Nancy Mace calling for Gonzales to resign, while the congressman denies having an affair and instead accuses the aide's attorney of attempting to blackmail him with a proposed $300,000 settlement.
🏷️ Themes
Political Scandal, Workplace Harassment, Mental Health Crisis, Election Ethics
# 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 Republican Congress (Irish: An Chomhdháil Phoblachtach) was an Irish republican political organisation founded in 1934, when pro-communist republicans left the Anti-Treaty Irish Republican Army. The Congress was led by such anti-Treaty veterans as Peadar O'Donnell, Frank Ryan and George Gilmore....
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Risk factors for suicide include mental disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, physical disorders, and substance abuse. Some suicides are impulsive acts driven by stress (such as from financial or academic difficulties), relationship pro...
Action or event regarded as morally or legally wrong and causing general public outrage
In politics, a political scandal is an action or event regarded as morally or legally wrong and causing general public outrage. Politicians, government officials, party officials and lobbyists can be accused of various illegal, corrupt, unethical or sexual practices. Politicians and officials who a...
This story involves serious allegations of misconduct by a sitting congressman, including inappropriate text messages with a staffer who later died by suicide. The case raises questions about workplace ethics and abuse of power in Congress, while also highlighting the tragic human consequences of such alleged behavior.
Context & Background
Rep. Tony Gonzales is a Republican congressman from Texas
The staffer Regina Santos-Aviles died by suicide in September 2025
Gonzales is facing a primary challenge in his reelection bid
What Happens Next
Gonzales faces increasing political pressure and a primary election challenge. Congressional ethics investigations may be launched, and the legal implications of the alleged relationship and subsequent events will likely continue to develop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the allegations against Rep. Gonzales?
He is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with staffer Regina Santos-Aviles, including explicit text messages.
How did the staffer die?
Regina Santos-Aviles died by suicide in September 2025 after being found critically burned.
What has Rep. Gonzales said about the allegations?
Gonzales has denied the affair and accused the staffer's husband's lawyer of attempted blackmail.
Original Source
Politics Texts show Rep. Tony Gonzales sent explicit messages to staffer who later died by suicide: "This is going too far boss" By Fin Daniel Gómez , Fin Daniel Gómez Political Director and Executive Director of Politics and White House, CBS News Fin Daniel Gómez is CBS News' political director and executive director, Politics and White House. In this role, Gómez oversees the daily White House and political coverage for CBS News and works closely with Washington bureau leadership to inform the Network's political coverage. Read Full Bio Fin Daniel Gómez , Joe Walsh Joe Walsh Senior Editor, Politics Joe Walsh is a senior editor for digital politics at CBS News. Joe previously covered breaking news for Forbes and local news in Boston. Read Full Bio Joe Walsh February 23, 2026 / 8:53 PM EST / CBS News Add CBS News on Google A newly revealed 2024 text exchange appears to show that Rep. Tony Gonzales encouraged one of his aides to send him an explicit photo — leading the aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, to push back. Just over a year later, the staffer died after setting herself on fire. The texts have drawn additional scrutiny to the Texas Republican, who is now facing bipartisan criticism over his alleged affair with Santos-Aviles. An attorney for the staffer's husband alleged to CBS News last week that Gonzales coerced Santos-Aviles into a sexual relationship. Gonzales has denied the affair in the past, and has claimed he is being extorted. CBS News has obtained a set of texts that were extracted from Santos-Aviles' phone that show a conversation between Gonzales and the late staffer. In the exchange, which took place after midnight in early May 2024, Gonzales asked for a "sexy pic." After a back-and-forth, Santos-Aviles said she didn't like taking photos of herself. He responded in a pair of texts: "I'm just such a visual person" and "Sorry." The congressman then asked Santos-Aviles what her "favorite position" is. She asked him to answer first, and he did. The aide then...
