Boebert Calls for Texas Republican to Resign Over Allegations He Asked Staffer to ‘Send a Sexy Pic’ Before Suicide
Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert has publicly demanded that her colleague, Representative Tony Gonzales, resign from his position or withdraw from the upcoming election. This call comes in response to recent reports alleging that Gonzales sent provocative text messages to a former staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, with whom he is accused of having an affair before she died by suicide in September 2025.
Scandal Surrounding Former Staffer's Death
Gonzales, a 45-year-old Republican from Texas, has been embroiled in controversy for months following the death of Santos-Aviles, aged 35, who served as his director of the regional district in Uvalde. She claimed to have had an affair with the congressman, and text messages obtained by the San Antonio Express-News have reignited scrutiny. In messages from May 2024, Gonzales reportedly asked Santos-Aviles to "send me a sexy pic" and persisted despite her discomfort, while also posing explicit questions about sexual intercourse. Santos-Aviles responded by stating he was taking things "too far" on two occasions.
Political Fallout and Calls for Resignation
After these messages were made public, Boebert took to social media platform X to urge Gonzales to step down, writing "RESIGN!" in a direct post. Her demand has been echoed by other Republican representatives, including Florida's Anna Paulina Luna and Texas's Brandon Gill, who called for Gonzales to drop out of the race, asserting that "America deserves better." The authenticated texts, verified by Santos-Aviles's widower, have circulated as Gonzales prepares to defend his seat in the House against challenger Brandon Herrera, a YouTuber and firearm manufacturer who narrowly lost in the 2024 primaries.
Gonzales's Response and Ongoing Allegations
Gonzales has declined to comment on the affair allegations, dismissing them as "personal smears" in a statement to the New York Times, where he described Santos-Aviles as a "kind soul." However, earlier this month, a former staffer shared additional text messages from April 2025 in which Santos-Aviles reiterated the affair claims. At the time of the alleged relationship, Gonzales was campaigning for re-election in Texas's 23rd district, which covers areas near San Antonio and El Paso along the U.S.-Mexico border. Both Gonzales and Santos-Aviles were married with children, adding to the scandal's sensitivity.
Mental Health Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, support is available. In the USA, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for confidential assistance. For international help, visit www.befrienders.org to find a local helpline. In the UK, contact the Samaritans at 116 123 or via email at jo@samaritans.org.
