Speaker Johnson addresses Rep. Gonzales' alleged affair: "We're working to clarify"
House Speaker Mike Johnson characterized the allegations against GOP Representative Tony Gonzales regarding an alleged affair with a staff member, who tragically died by suicide, as "detestable." He added, "we're working to clarify the situation."
In an exclusive interview with a prominent news anchor, Johnson stated, "My understanding is he's denied a lot of this, and we're trying to sort it out." He acknowledged that the Office of Congressional Conduct has been investigating the matter for some time, emphasizing the importance of allowing all facts to emerge.
Prior to her death, Regina Santos-Aviles, the aide in question, disclosed the alleged affair in a text message to a colleague, which surfaced last week. Additional text messages revealed Gonzales requesting a "sexy pic" from Santos-Aviles, along with other sexually suggestive exchanges.
As Gonzales prepares for the March 3 Republican primary, he faces multiple challengers. Recently, he accused one opponent of disseminating the affair allegations. Although he received an endorsement from the GOP campaign arm, Johnson clarified that this support was given "before any of this came up."
"Of course, he's an incumbent," Johnson remarked. "We endorsed Tony Gonzales back in the fall—before any of this surfaced. The allegations are—it's detestable what is being alleged."
Santos-Aviles died in September 2025 after a tragic incident involving self-immolation, as detailed in an autopsy report. She was married and had an eight-year-old son.
Gonzales has consistently denied any wrongdoing and claims he is being extorted by Santos-Aviles' widower. He is also married and has six children.
Despite pressure from some party members to resign, Gonzales asserted on Tuesday that he would not step down. Following his meeting with Johnson, he told reporters at the Capitol, "I will not resign; I work every day for the people of Texas. There will be an opportunity for all the details and the facts to come out. What you've seen are not all the facts."
