Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert has called for the resignation of her colleague, Rep. Tony Gonzales, following allegations that he sent inappropriate text messages to a former staffer who later died by suicide. This incident has reignited scrutiny around Gonzales, who has been at the center of controversy since the death of Regina Ann Santos-Aviles in September 2025.
Santos-Aviles, aged 35, was reportedly involved in an affair with Gonzales, 45, who has not publicly addressed the allegations. Recent text messages obtained and published by the San Antonio Express-News have drawn attention to the nature of their interactions. One message from May 2024 shows Gonzales requesting that Santos-Aviles “send me a sexy pic,” despite her clear discomfort. In response, she indicated that he was “taking things too far.”
In light of these revelations, Boebert publicly urged Gonzales to resign via a post on X, stating simply, “RESIGN!” Her comments echo the sentiments of other lawmakers, including Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and Texas Rep. Brandon Gill, who have also called for Gonzales to step down. Gill emphasized, “America deserves better. Tony should drop out of the race,” highlighting a growing chorus of discontent among his peers.
The messages, which have been verified by the widower of Santos-Aviles, come as Gonzales is preparing for a challenging re-election campaign in Texas’s 23rd district, which includes parts of San Antonio and El Paso. He faces a competitive challenge from Brandon Herrera, a 30-year-old YouTuber and firearm manufacturer who narrowly lost to Gonzales in the 2024 Republican primaries.
Prior to Santos-Aviles’s death, allegations of an affair surfaced, with a former staffer disclosing text exchanges from April 2025 that indicated a relationship between the two. Santos-Aviles had been serving as Gonzales’s director in his regional district in Uvalde, Texas. According to her husband, she confided that she had been involved with Gonzales for about a month.
Gonzales has not commented directly on the allegations related to the affair, describing them as “personal smears.” However, he did express condolences for Santos-Aviles, calling her a “kind soul who devoted her life to making the community a better place,” in a recent statement to the New York Times.
As the political landscape shifts and pressure mounts for Gonzales to resign, the situation remains fluid. Stakeholders within the Republican Party are keenly watching how this controversy will influence the upcoming election and the future of Gonzales’s political career.
For those in the United States facing mental health challenges, support is available through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which can be reached by calling or texting 988. This free, confidential service operates 24/7. Internationally, resources can be accessed via www.befrienders.org, with specific helplines available in various countries, including the Samaritans in the UK at 116 123.
