Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales Defies Resignation Calls Amid Mounting Scandal
Defiant Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales has publicly declared he will not resign from office, despite a growing scandal involving an alleged affair with a former aide who later died by suicide. On Capitol Hill this Tuesday, the Republican representative from Texas evaded direct questions from reporters regarding sexually explicit text messages he sent to the late aide, Regina Aviles.
"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 to come out. What you’ve seen is not all the facts," Gonzales, a married father of six, told journalists. This statement comes as explicit texts between Gonzales and Aviles, made public by her husband Adrian, have sparked widespread controversy.
Explicit Text Messages Revealed
Text messages obtained by the Daily Mail detail a late-night exchange in May 2024, approximately 16 months before Aviles's death. In one message sent at 12:15 a.m., Gonzales wrote, "Send me a sexy pic." Aviles, who served as his regional district office director in Uvalde, responded that she had a rough week and "you don't really want a hot picture of me."
The conversation grew increasingly pushy, with Gonzales replying, "Yes I do," and adding, "Hurry." When Aviles resisted, stating, "No, I just don't like taking pictures of myself," Gonzales persisted, saying, "I'm just such a visual person." The congressman further inquired about her favorite sexual positions, including a crude one-word message: "A***?"
Background of the Alleged Affair
Gonzales and Aviles are pictured together with Elon Musk in Texas in September 2023, with the alleged affair reportedly beginning the year prior. Despite this, Gonzales is currently campaigning for re-election as a family man, prominently featuring photos of his wife and children. Aviles, a married mother of one, tragically died by suicide in September 2025 after dousing herself with gasoline and setting herself on fire in her backyard.
The Daily Mail first reported the alleged affair in October, and while Gonzales initially did not deny it when given the opportunity, he later publicly denied the affair in November. Last week, additional texts were obtained where Aviles confirmed the relationship to a friend and colleague, writing, "I had [an] affair with our boss." The phone number has been confirmed to belong to Aviles.
Friend's Account and Aftermath
A friend of Aviles has come forward, alleging that she had two trysts with Gonzales in a cabin and shared sexually explicit photos, including what she described as "dick pics." After these encounters, Aviles became paranoid about potential cameras in the cabin and grew increasingly worried about her husband discovering the relationship. Her husband, Adrian, allegedly found out in July 2025 and sent a group text to Gonzales's staffers, after which he moved out with their eight-year-old son.
Following this, Aviles fell into a deep depression, and Gonzales reportedly spurned her affections, ignoring her texts. "He did a number on her," the friend said, noting that Aviles attempted suicide a month before her death. Tragically, she succeeded in September 2025, with an autopsy ruling her death a suicide and revealing she was intoxicated at the time.
Political Implications and Primary Challenge
The friend claims to be speaking out to ensure voters have all information ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, stating, "Tony after what he did, does not deserve to be a public servant." Gonzales faces a tough primary challenge against YouTuber and gun enthusiast Brandon Herrera, with early voting for the Republican primary in Texas having begun on February 17 and the election set for March 3.
For help and support, contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988.
