Rep. Tony Gonzales Announces Congressional Exit Amid Scandal and Bipartisan Outcry

Rep. Tony Gonzales confirmed his retirement from Congress on Monday, a decision influenced by intense bipartisan criticism stemming from an affair with a staff member who tragically took her own life.

“There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all,” Gonzales stated on X. “When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office. It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas.”

Despite requests for comment, Gonzales did not respond immediately. Initially, he dismissed the allegations as politically motivated attacks against him.

However, evidence surfaced when the husband of the staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, shared text messages that contradicted Gonzales’ claims. In a May 2024 exchange, the two discussed intimate photographs:

“You don’t really want a hot picture of me,” she texted.

“I’m just such a visual person,” Gonzales replied.

“This is going too far boss,” she responded.

Bobby Barrera, representing Santos-Aviles’ husband, Adrian Aviles, revealed that the couple separated in June 2024 after Adrian discovered the affair, although they did not pursue divorce.

“The text messages clearly support that Tony was pushing her to send photos, pushing her to communicate, pushing her into this relationship,” Barrera explained. “So much so that she began to question why Tony even hired her... if the communications were always centered around her attractiveness.”

Barrera further asserted that the affair contributed to Santos-Aviles’ death. “Regina taking her life is a result of the collateral consequences of the discovery of that affair. And then, after the discovery of the affair, she began to receive different treatment at work,” he added. “All of that was because Tony Gonzales encouraged, manipulated and induced her into this sexual affair as her employer.”

Santos-Aviles served as the regional director for Gonzales in Uvalde since 2021 and died by suicide in September 2025 at the age of 35.

Following the revelation of the alleged affair in February, calls for Gonzales’ resignation intensified among lawmakers. He maintained that he would not step down and insisted that the public lacked full knowledge of the situation.

The nonpartisan Office of Congressional Conduct found “a substantial reason to believe” Gonzales engaged in the affair, leading to a House Ethics Committee investigation into potential misconduct.

In a podcast with conservative host Joe Pags, Gonzales admitted to the affair. “I made a mistake and I had a lapse in judgment,” he acknowledged. “And there was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions.”

His retirement announcement coincided with Rep. Eric Swalwell’s resignation amid similar bipartisan backlash over sexual assault allegations.

On Saturday, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna expressed intentions to file a motion to expel both lawmakers, while Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández planned similar actions against Gonzales.

“We have successfully drained part of the swamp this week with the resignation of two very corrupt members of Congress,” Luna stated online, reiterating her call for Gonzales’ resignation.

Leger Fernández echoed this sentiment. “He has until 2 PM tomorrow—when we will file his expulsion,” she warned in a social media post. “He better write that resignation ‘effective immediately.’”

In another post, Leger Fernández emphasized the importance of accountability for powerful men who abuse women. “Accountability can happen. We can hold men accountable when they abuse women, and we’re gonna do more of it,” she declared.

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