Marjorie Taylor Greene Slams Rep. Tony Gonzales Over Affair Allegations, Backs Primary Opponent

Marjorie Taylor Greene did not hold back when discussing the recent allegations against Rep. Tony Gonzales, labeling the texts exchanged between him and a former aide as "shocking and disgusting." This comes as she publicly endorsed his primary challenger, Brandon Herrera, in Texas' 23rd district.

"The entire story is and ended in his staffer, whom he had an affair with, setting herself on fire and dying. TX-23 has an easy choice!! Elect Brandon Herrera!!!" Greene declared in a social media post.

Recent polling data reveals that Gonzales is significantly trailing Herrera, a YouTuber known for his firearms advocacy, by over 20 points. According to reports, Gonzales is projected to receive only 21% of likely voter support in the upcoming March 3 primary, while Herrera stands at 45%, positioning him as a strong contender for a potential runoff on May 26.

Additionally, 26% of those surveyed remain undecided, with former Rep. Francisco "Quico" Canseco and construction executive Keith Barton each garnering 4% support.

Public sentiment towards Gonzales appears to be deteriorating, with 54% of respondents expressing an "unfavorable" view of him, compared to just 24% who still support his candidacy.

Gonzales is also facing pressure from within Congress, as at least four House Republicans have urged him to resign or withdraw from the race. "He needs to go," stated Rep. Tim Burchett in an interview.

The controversy surrounding Gonzales has been escalating, particularly after reports surfaced detailing his inappropriate requests for "sexy" pictures from aide Regina Ann Santos-Aviles. These exchanges reportedly took place during the spring of 2024 amid a heated primary campaign.

In one instance, Gonzales urged Santos-Aviles to "send me a sexy pic," despite her expressing discomfort with the request. He persisted, claiming he was "just such a visual person," and even inquired about her favorite sexual positions.

Santos-Aviles communicated her discomfort multiple times, yet they arranged to meet two days later in Uvalde for his campaign activities. The nature of their interactions raises serious ethical questions, especially considering Gonzales is married with six children.

The texts exchanged between Gonzales and Santos-Aviles were provided by her ex-husband, Adrian Aviles, and have since been authenticated by various outlets. In light of these developments, the Office of Congressional Conduct is reportedly investigating potential violations of House rules related to the alleged affair.

Even if Gonzales secures victory in the primary on March 3, he may still face scrutiny from the House Ethics Committee depending on the findings of the ongoing investigation.