WASHINGTON — Representative Tony Gonzales, a Republican representing Texas’s 23rd congressional district, is facing escalating calls for his resignation from within his own party following reports of explicit text messages exchanged with a former staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, who later died by suicide. At least four House Republicans have publicly demanded Gonzales step down or halt his reelection campaign, as first reported by multiple outlets Monday.
“America deserves better. Tony should drop out of the race,” Texas Representative Brandon Gill posted on X. Representative Anna Paulina Luna of Florida echoed the sentiment, stating simply, “Tony, you should drop out of the race.” Representatives Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Nancy Mace of South Carolina have likewise called for Gonzales to resign.
Gonzales’ office has not responded to requests for comment, but the congressman has previously denied allegations of wrongdoing. The controversy comes as House Speaker Mike Johnson navigates a precarious hold on the Republican majority, currently at a four-seat advantage, raising concerns about potential further departures ahead of this year’s elections. Johnson acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations but emphasized the require for due process. “As in every case like this, you have to allow the investigations to play out and all the facts to come out,” Fox News reported Johnson telling reporters Monday. “If the accusation of something is going to be the litmus test for someone being able to continue to serve in the House, you’ll have a lot of people who would have to resign or be removed or expelled from Congress.”
The House Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC) is already investigating the matter, according to a source familiar with the investigation who was not authorized to speak publicly. The OCC is expected to forward its findings to the House Ethics Committee in the coming weeks. This probe adds another layer of complexity to Gonzales’s already challenging reelection bid. He is currently facing a primary contest on March 3, potentially mirroring a 2024 runoff where he narrowly defeated conservative YouTuber Brandon Herrera by approximately 350 votes.
Herrera, known online as “the AK guy” for his advocacy of Second Amendment rights, has again drawn support from within the Republican party. On Monday, the political arm of the House Freedom Caucus endorsed Herrera, despite making no mention of the allegations surrounding Gonzales. “Brandon is a bold, unapologetic defender of the Second Amendment and a steadfast champion of the constitutional rights that safeguard our freedoms,” the Freedom Caucus Fund stated on X. Gonzales has frequently clashed with the Freedom Caucus, often criticized for being insufficiently conservative.
Gonzales represents a significant stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border – over 800 miles – the largest of any congressional district, according to his official website. He has prioritized border security during his three terms in office, advocating for increased funding for Operation Stonegarden and CBP operations, and introducing legislation like the Security First Act. However, his approach to immigration has often diverged from more hardline positions within his party, as noted in a recent profile by Washington Morning, which described his advocacy for a “balanced framework” that includes both enforcement and a functioning legal immigration system.
The outcome of the OCC investigation and the upcoming primary election remain uncertain, leaving Gonzales’s political future in question as the controversy continues to unfold.
