House GOP Leader Declines to Call for Texas Congressman's Resignation Amid Sexting Scandal

Speaker Mike Johnson says 'things will play out' for Rep. Tony Gonzales as primary election looms

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would not leap to conclusions about U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales' sexting scandal with an ex-staffer, even as calls for the Texas Republican to resign come from within his own party. Johnson called the allegations 'alarming and detestable' but said they must 'allow the process here to play out' as Gonzales faces a primary election in less than a week.

Why it matters

The scandal surrounding Rep. Gonzales has become a major issue in the Republican primary race for Texas' 23rd Congressional District, with the congressman facing a strong challenge from a GOP rival. The House GOP leadership's response to the allegations could have significant political implications as the party seeks to maintain control of the House.

The details

Gonzales is accused of having an affair with a former staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who died by suicide in September 2025. Several House Republicans, including Reps. Nancy Mace, Anna Paulina Luna, Lauren Boebert, and Thomas Massie, have called for Gonzales to resign. However, Speaker Johnson said he would not ask Gonzales to step down, noting that 'these things will play out' as the primary election approaches.

  • Gonzales is accused of having an affair with a staffer in 2025.
  • Santos-Aviles died by suicide in September 2025.
  • The Republican primary election in Texas' 23rd Congressional District is scheduled for March 3, 2026.

The players

Mike Johnson

U.S. House Speaker and a Republican from Louisiana.

Tony Gonzales

U.S. Representative for Texas' 23rd Congressional District and a Republican.

Regina Ann Santos-Aviles

A former staffer of Rep. Gonzales who died by suicide in September 2025.

Nancy Mace

U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District and a Republican.

Brandon Herrera

A gun manufacturer and business owner who is challenging Rep. Gonzales in the Republican primary for Texas' 23rd Congressional District.

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What they’re saying

“I've said to him publicly and privately, he's got to address that directly and head on with his constituents. There's a primary there in less than a week and these things will play out.”

— Mike Johnson, U.S. House Speaker (fox26houston.com)

“Tony Gonzales showed us what is happening in Congress. But he is not the only one. The American people deserve answers. Staff deserve answers. Women deserve answers. No more protection for predators in Congress. We are going to shine a light on every single one of them.”

— Nancy Mace, U.S. Representative (fox26houston.com)

“Congressional ethics is a joke. They have so much dirt on members of Congress, and they do nothing. As you can see, there is a serious problem up here, largely surrounding sexual misconduct. It pisses me off because while some of us are actually working and busting our asses, these clowns are sexually harassing their own staff, doing illegal crap, insider trading etc. It sets a terrible precedent for the entire institution.”

— Anna Paulina Luna, U.S. Representative (fox26houston.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Rep. Gonzales out on bail.

The takeaway

This scandal highlights the ongoing issues of sexual misconduct and ethical lapses in Congress, raising questions about the effectiveness of the Congressional Ethics Committee and the need for stronger accountability measures to protect staff and the public's trust in their elected representatives.