Embattled GOP lawmaker defiant despite growing number of Republicans demanding resignation
An embattled House Republican doubled down Tuesday and refused to resign despite revelations that he had an affair with an aide who later died by setting herself on fire.
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) was accused by Adrian Aviles, the estranged husband of congressional aide Regina Santos-Aviles, of having an affair with his wife. Aviles discovered the trysts in May 2024 through sexually explicit text messages between his wife and the married congressman.
According to Aviles, Gonzales "abused his power" by seducing Santos-Aviles, the congressman's regional district director. After the affair was discovered, Aviles claims staff retaliated by isolating his wife. Santos-Aviles, 35, died by self-immolation in September 2025. Aviles now contends her death was a "cry for help" rather than suicide.
This week, NBC News obtained explicit text messages Gonzales sent Santos-Aviles, in which he asked for a "sexy pic," asked her "favorite position," and referenced various sex acts. Santos-Aviles replied, "This is too far, Tony," and asked, "Please tell me you didn't just hire me because I was hot."
The revelations led a bevy of Republicans to call for Gonzales's resignation, including Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Brandon Gill (R-TX) and Tim Burchett (R-TN).
But Gonzales said Tuesday he's not going anywhere.
When asked by CNN's Manu Raju whether the text messages were accurate, Gonzales simply replied, "I am not going to resign. I work every day for the people of Texas."
When asked again if the texts were real, Gonzales didn't answer the question, and merely repeated his assertion he would remain in Congress.
"There will be an opportunity for all the details and facts to come out. What you've seen is not all the facts," he declared.
Raju asked what facts still need to come to light, given his constituents want to know.
Gonzales replied that his constituents aren't in the nation's capital.
"My constituents are back home in Texas," he concluded.
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