A growing number of House Republicans are calling on Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) to “resign immediately” after allegations surfaced that he had an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide — claims that have intensified just days before a pivotal Texas primary.
Gonzales has firmly denied any improper relationship with the staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles. Santos-Aviles died in September after setting herself on fire, following the initial emergence of the allegations late last year. The tragic circumstances surrounding her death have added a deeply personal and emotional dimension to an already explosive political controversy.
The situation escalated further this week when alleged text messages were obtained by Juliegrace Brufke of 24sight News and published Monday. According to the report, the messages purportedly show that Gonzales “made explicit sexual requests to his late congressional staffer who repeatedly resisted.” The publication of those messages has reignited scrutiny and prompted additional Republican lawmakers to speak out publicly.
Three Republican congresswomen — Lauren Boebert (CO), Anna Paulina Luna (FL), and Nancy Mace (SC) — have called for Gonzales to step down. Their statements reflect a widening rift within the GOP conference, as some members argue that the allegations are too serious to ignore.
On Tuesday, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) joined the chorus demanding Gonzales’ resignation. Posting on X, Massie questioned why “other men in the GOP” had not made similar calls and went a step further by urging President Donald Trump to withdraw his endorsement of Gonzales. Trump extended his backing to the Texas lawmaker in December, well before the latest developments became public.
Separately, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) told NBC News reporter Brennan Leach that Gonzales should “do the right thing and resign.” While acknowledging that there is a legal process to follow, Burchett made clear he believes accountability demands decisive action. “Well, the legal process, of course, but I think he should, he should do the right thing and resign,” Burchett said when asked about how the matter should be handled.
House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed the controversy when pressed by reporters, describing the allegations as “very serious.” However, Johnson stopped short of withdrawing his endorsement of Gonzales, instead saying that the Texas congressman must “address” the issue directly with his constituents. As of now, Trump has not publicly commented on the allegations or on calls to rescind his endorsement.
The mounting pressure highlights the difficult balancing act facing Republican leadership as the party heads into a critical election season. With primary voters closely watching developments, the controversy surrounding Gonzales has become a flashpoint for questions about ethics, accountability, and standards within the GOP.
Whether Gonzales can weather the storm — or whether calls for his resignation will continue to grow — remains to be seen. For now, the issue has fractured party unity and placed one of its members under intense public scrutiny at a crucial political moment.
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