Trending Now - Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales Withdraws Amid Controversy

WHO:

Tony Gonzales: Republican Congressman from Texas, representing the 23rd District.

Brandon Herrera: Conservative activist and gun rights influencer, Gonzales' opponent in the primary runoff.

Regina Ann Santos-Aviles: Former staffer of Gonzales who died by suicide in September 2025.

Adrian Aviles: Husband of Regina Santos-Aviles, who has accused Gonzales of blackmail.

House Speaker Mike Johnson: Republican leader who has commented on the situation.

Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett: Republican colleague who called for Gonzales to resign.

House Ethics Committee: Investigating Gonzales' conduct.

WHAT:

Gonzales admitted to having an affair with Regina Santos-Aviles on March 4, 2026.

Gonzales was forced into a primary runoff against Brandon Herrera after neither candidate received over 50% of the vote in the primary held on March 3, 2026.

The runoff election is scheduled for May 26, 2026.

The House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into Gonzales' conduct on March 4, 2026.

Text messages revealed Gonzales sent lewd messages to Santos-Aviles, including requests for a "sexy pic."

Santos-Aviles died by self-immolation, ruled a suicide by the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office.

WHERE:

Texas' 23rd Congressional District: Encompasses more than 800 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Uvalde, Texas: Location where Santos-Aviles died.

Washington, D.C.: Location of the House Ethics Committee and where Gonzales serves as a Congressman.

WHEN:

Gonzales was first elected in 2020.

Santos-Aviles died on September 2025.

Gonzales admitted to the affair on March 4, 2026.

The primary election was held on March 3, 2026.

The runoff election is scheduled for May 26, 2026.

WHY:

Allegations of an affair with Santos-Aviles and subsequent suicide led to calls for Gonzales to resign from both parties.

Gonzales claimed he was being extorted by Santos-Aviles' husband, Adrian Aviles.

HOW:

Gonzales communicated with Santos-Aviles through text messages, which included explicit content.

The House Ethics Committee is investigating whether Gonzales engaged in sexual misconduct or unfairly dispensed privileges.

In a significant development, Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales admitted to having an affair with his former staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, on March 4, 2026, just a day after the primary election where he was forced into a runoff against conservative activist Brandon Herrera. The House Ethics Committee has launched an investigation into Gonzales' conduct, following allegations of blackmail from Santos-Aviles' husband, Adrian Aviles, who accused Gonzales of extortion related to the affair. Tragically, Santos-Aviles died by suicide in September 2025, and text messages have surfaced revealing Gonzales sent her lewd messages, including requests for explicit photos. Calls for Gonzales to resign have come from both sides of the aisle, including Tennessee Representative Tim Burchett, as the scandal continues to unfold. The runoff election between Gonzales and Herrera is set for May 26, 2026, as the investigation into Gonzales' actions progresses.