U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales said Tuesday that he will not step down from office following the release of explicit text messages between him and a former aide who died last year after setting herself on fire.
“I am not going to resign,” Gonzales told CNN. “I work every day for the people of Texas, and there will be opportunity for all the details and facts. What you’ve seen is not all the facts.”
Gonzales did not address the accuracy of the messages, which reportedly show him asking former staffer Regina Santos-Aviles to send a “sexy pic” despite her objections that he was going “too far.” He has previously denied rumors of an affair but has not publicly commented further since the texts became public.
The controversy comes as Gonzales faces a competitive Republican primary challenge from gun rights activist Brandon Herrera. Former Rep. Quico Canseco is also in the race. Early voting is already underway, with the primary scheduled for next week.
In Washington, reactions from fellow Republicans have varied. Some lawmakers have expressed concern while stopping short of demanding his resignation, mindful of the party’s narrow majority in the House.
Rep. Pete Sessions described the allegations as “very unfortunate” but warned that a resignation could disrupt House operations.
“There was plenty of notice given to [the voters], and they can make an accurate decision,” Sessions said. “On the side of quitting, he would throw this body into chaos. I think he has a duty to play out whatever the people have said to him and vote.”
Others have suggested Gonzales should reconsider his candidacy. Rep. Chip Roy emphasized due process but said it would be better if Gonzales withdrew from the race and completed his current term.
Rep. Michael Cloud called the allegations “extremely troubling” and said Gonzales should consider stepping aside from the campaign, noting that further complications could arise if he were to win.
A small group of Republicans outside Texas has gone further, urging Gonzales to resign. Among them are Reps. Lauren Boebert, Tim Burchett, Nancy Mace, and Thomas Massie. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said the situation “brings dishonor on the House of Representatives.”
Many of the strongest calls for Gonzales to step down have come from the party’s most conservative wing, some of whom were already backing Herrera. Gonzales, considered a more moderate Republican, has drawn criticism from the right in the past for supporting bipartisan legislation, including a gun safety bill passed after a school shooting in his district.
Herrera recently received backing from the Freedom Caucus Fund, the campaign arm of the House Freedom Caucus.
House Republican leadership has largely adopted a wait-and-see posture. Speaker Mike Johnson said he intends to speak with Gonzales and is awaiting the outcome of ongoing reviews.
“These are serious accusations, and it must be taken seriously,” Johnson said. “I’ve told him he’s got to address that with his constituents.”
Johnson and other top GOP leaders — along with former President Donald Trump — have endorsed Gonzales and have not withdrawn their support.
According to NBC News, the Office of Congressional Conduct has completed an investigation into the alleged relationship but cannot forward its findings to the House Ethics Committee until after the primary.
Some Texas Republicans have declined to weigh in publicly. Rep. Monica De La Cruz said she would prefer to wait for the Ethics Committee’s review before drawing conclusions, while noting the tragedy of Santos-Aviles’ death.
“We have a young lady who died tragically,” De La Cruz said. “Let’s keep in mind that she’s a mother of a young child, she’s a wife, a daughter, parents who love her so much and I’m sure miss her.”
Rep. Brian Babin described the situation as “not a good development,” while others, including Rep. Dan Crenshaw, declined to comment.
