Republicans Call for Rep. Tony Gonzales to Resign Over Alleged Affair With Staffer

“America deserves better. Tony should drop out of the race,” Texas Rep. Brandon Gill posted Monday on X.

Rep. Tony Gonzales prepares for a television interview in the U.S. Capitol.

Tom Williams/AP

Republican lawmakers are condemning Rep. Tony Gonzales after text messages made public Monday revealed that the Texas lawmaker requested explicit pictures from a former aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, who died last year after allegedly setting herself on fire.

The woman’s widower, Adrian Aviles, accused Gonzales of having an affair with a reluctant Santos-Aviles — who said, “this is going too far boss” to the congressman’s request for “a sexy pic.”

Following the salacious disclosures, at least four of Gonzales’ Republican colleagues have called for his resignation.