In the months leading up to his recent acknowledgment of an affair with congressional staffer Regina Santos-Aviles, Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-Texas) was found to have solicited nude photos and sexual interactions with his campaign’s political director during the 2020 election cycle, according to newly released text messages.
As reported by Bayliss Wagner from the San Antonio Express-News, Gonzalez, then a newcomer vying for the U.S. House seat previously held by Will Hurd in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, sent explicit messages to his political director in June 2020, just days after he won the Republican primary on July 15, 2020.
Wagner noted that Gonzalez initially brushed off the woman’s concerns about their conversations, suggesting she was a “smart woman” who shouldn’t “compromise.” However, he quickly shifted to more personal inquiries, asking about her bedtime habits and clothing. Eventually, he outright asked, “What kind of panties do you wear?”
Hours later, while being a married man and father of six, Gonzalez requested nude photos from the aide and detailed the sexual activities he wished to engage in. After she declined several times, he apparently responded, “47 is my limit.”
The following days saw him pressing for photos again and again, with a message on June 15, 2020, where he claimed, “I know what I want and I won’t stop until I get it.” This prompted a humorous facepalm emoji reaction from the aide who added, “You better do that in Congress.”
The Express-News indicated that Gonzalez made repeated requests for nude photos during a three-day span and kept pursuing the matter after she sent images while mostly covered. His interest in initiating a sexual relationship persisted for weeks.
Wagner also revealed that Gonzalez visited her home twice in June 2020, though nothing physical happened between them. “We didn’t even touch each other,” she mentioned.
On one occasion, Gonzalez suggested coming over for drinks and “doing nothing.” After leaving, he texted her with two options: he could leave, “or I’ll stay and, you know, like a rabbit.” She playfully told him to go away to keep the mystery alive. He continued to encourage her to return, humorously stating, “Even if your panties come off, you can still come here.”
When the two met once more at her residence, Gonzalez expressed feeling unwanted, and upon her remark about his odd behavior, he brought up wanting another photo.
The woman, who started volunteering for Gonzalez’s campaign in April 2020 and was made political director in June, ultimately chose to stop working with him. After edging out Raul Reyes by a slim margin in the July runoff, Gonzalez texted her about still being in shock after she turned him down.
This woman, an Army veteran now volunteering for Brandon Herrera, admitted she regrets her interactions with Gonzalez, acknowledging, “I’m not completely innocent in all of this.” She spoke out after discovering that Gonzalez’s close aide, Regina Santos Aviles, passed away in 2025, noting that he pursued her much like he did with herself.
Herrera, a conservative YouTube figure and gun rights advocate, had outperformed Gonzalez in the Republican primary earlier in March, ultimately leading to Gonzalez’s withdrawal as the scandal unfolded.
Santos Avilés died in a house fire in September 2025. The authorities found no foul play, but her family maintained she did not intentionally ignite the blaze.
After initially denying any wrongdoing, Gonzalez admitted during a March 4 performance on the Joe Pug Show that he indeed had an affair with Santos Aviles, labeling it a “mistake” and “an error in judgment.” He acknowledged being responsible for it despite previously denying the rumors at the Texas Tribune Festival.
Earlier reports had indicated that Gonzalez requested “sexy photos” from Santos Avilés and discussed intimate topics in 2024. Furthermore, the San Antonio Express-News reported private meetings between them at a rented cabin near Uvalde.
On March 4, the House Ethics Committee launched an investigation into whether Gonzalez had engaged in sexual misconduct or offered special favors to congressional employees, highlighting that such relationships are against company rules.
The following day, high-ranking House officials, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, indicated that Gonzalez would step back from his re-election campaign.
Several House Republicans called for Gonzalez’s resignation or disciplinary measures, including Reps. Lauren Boebert, Nancy Mace, Thomas Massie, and Anna Paulina Luna.
In response to Wagner’s findings, Luna stated: “NO means NO. I would vote to expel him and both of them. Both need to go.”
