Congressman Accused of Pressuring Staffers for Nude Photos

Text messages reveal a pattern of inappropriate behavior by a Texas Republican representative.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:34am

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Newly exposed text messages show Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican, repeatedly pressuring a former female campaign staffer for nude photos and graphic sexual details, despite her refusals. This comes after a previous scandal involving Gonzales' affair with another staffer, which led to the staffer's tragic death. The former campaign director said she never took Gonzales' advances seriously at the time, but now sees his behavior as 'pure evil' that needs to stop.

Why it matters

The revelations about Gonzales' conduct toward his female staffers raise serious questions about abuse of power and the treatment of women in politics. The congressman's actions, if true, represent a betrayal of the public trust and could have lasting consequences for his political career.

The details

The text messages, reported by the San Antonio Express-News, show Gonzales, a 45-year-old father of six, initiating late-night visits to the woman's apartment, pressing her for details about her underwear, offering graphic sexual scenarios, and repeatedly demanding photographs, which she refused to send. The exchange begins with flattery before Gonzales pivots to sexualized chat, at one point telling the woman 'If I come over though your panties are coming off.' The woman, who is a decade older than Gonzales and was his campaign director at the time, said she never took his advances seriously until learning about his affair with another staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, which led to Santos-Aviles' tragic death by self-immolation.

  • In June 2020, Gonzales exchanged the inappropriate text messages with his former campaign director.
  • In September 2021, Gonzales' affair with his regional district director, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, 35, was discovered by her husband, leading to her suicide.
  • In March 2026, Gonzales admitted to the affair and called it a 'lapse in judgment', announcing he would not seek re-election.

The players

Rep. Tony Gonzales

A 45-year-old Republican congressman from Texas who is accused of repeatedly pressuring a former female campaign staffer for nude photos and graphic sexual details, despite her refusals.

Former Campaign Director

A woman who was Gonzales' campaign director and received the inappropriate text messages from him in 2020. She is a decade older than Gonzales.

Regina Ann Santos-Aviles

Gonzales' 35-year-old regional district director with whom he had an affair, leading to her tragic death by self-immolation in 2021 after her husband discovered the relationship.

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What they’re saying

“'[Tony] obviously pursued, pursued, pursued her like he did with me. I never took him serious... It wasn't until this poor girl died that I thought, 'No, this guy is pure evil.' This behavior needs to stop.'”

— Former Campaign Director

“'I know what I want and won't stop until I get it.'”

— Rep. Tony Gonzales

What’s next

Gonzales will serve out his term through January 2027 following a congressional ethics inquiry, but has announced he will not seek re-election.

The takeaway

The revelations about Rep. Gonzales' inappropriate behavior toward his female staffers highlight the need for greater accountability and better protections for women in positions of power. This case underscores the damaging consequences that can result from abuses of authority and the mistreatment of subordinates.