(The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Republican representing the largest border district in Texas, CD 23, says he won’t resign in response to growing calls in his district and by Republican members of Congress to do so.
On Tuesday, a resolution was filed with the House Ethics Committee directing it to preserve all evidence related to allegations he sexually harassed a former staffer who set herself on fire last September.
Gonzales continues to campaign for reelection to his fourth term.
Gonzales, who is opposed by many conservatives in his district and is losing endorsements by the day, is at the center of another tragedy in Uvalde. His former staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles set herself on fire last September, reportedly after a lengthy alleged affair with her boss, Gonzales, ended.
Last September, she was found in critical condition near her home in Uvalde, with her mother saying what happened was an accident. She was transported to a hospital and died. The Bexar County Medical Examiner ruled her death was suicide by immolation, setting herself on fire, KENS News reported.
Months later, her husband, Adrian Aviles, shared 2024-era texts he said were sent between Regina and Gonzales with the San Antonio Express after previously remaining silent. Gonzalez has denied the affair and hasn’t addressed the texts.
Aviles also sent the text exchanges to News 4 San Antonio and Fox News San Antonio. The stations say they “independently verified their authenticity” and published them. They include texts from his wife allegedly telling Gonzales “things had gone too far.”
Aviles, told CBS News his wife’s “mental health declined sharply following the end of her alleged relationship with Gonzales,” blaming Gonzales.
Last fall, the Office of Congressional Conduct opened an investigation into the alleged affair. It is a violation of House rules for a member of Congress to engage in a sexual relationship with or commit sexual harassment against staff. The investigation is complete but the office is prohibited from providing its findings to the House Ethics Committee within 60 days of an election in which a member under investigation is running for office, NBC News reported.
On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., filed a resolution “directing the Ethics Committee to preserve and publicly release records and reports on all of their investigations into Members of Congress for sexual harassment and unwelcome sexual advances. Tony Gonzales is just the tip of the iceberg,” she said. “There is no place for sexual harassment or unwelcome sexual advances in the House of Representatives. And we won’t let the Washington establishment keep protecting its own. End of story.”
She and Republican U.S. Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Tim Burchett of Tennessee have called for Gonzales to immediately resign. Massie also took aim at President Donald Trump for endorsing Gonzales and for other men staying quiet. “Where are the other men in the GOP? Trump is infamous for making terrible endorsements — this is one and it should be revoked,” he said.
U.S. Reps. Chip Roy and Brandon Gill, both Texas Republicans, have called on Gonzales to resign. They’ve also endorsed Gonzeles’ Republican challenger, Second Amendment activist and Youtuber Brandon Herrera. The House Freedom Caucus also endorsed Herrera.
Gonzales told reporters on Tuesday, “I will not resign. I work every day for the people of Texas. And there will be an opportunity for all the details and facts that come out. What you’ve seen is not all the facts.”
He also claims he is being blackmailed.
Multiple candidates are running to oust Gonzales in CD 23. They include two Independents, Patti Hale Ashe and Veronica Williams; four Democrats: Gretel Marysdatter Enck, Santos Limon, Bruce Richardson and Katy Padilla Stout. They also include three Republicans: Herrera, Keith Barton and Francisco Canseco.
The Texas primary election is March 3.
