MAGA Lawmakers Call for Republican to Resign Following Release of Disturbing Texts

Rolling Stone

by Ryan Bort

February 24, 2026

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Republican lawmakers, including several prominent MAGA women, are calling for Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) to resign following the release of disturbing text messages exchanged with a former staffer. The texts reveal that the married congressman pressured the staffer to send him "sexy" photos and inquire about her favorite sexual positions, despite her repeatedly stating that his advances were inappropriate. These messages, obtained by *The San Antonio Express-News*, show Gonzales engaging in explicit conversations with Regina Santos-Aviles, a former regional district office director who later died by self-immolation after discovering her husband knew of the affair. Santos-Aviles initially rebuffed Gonzales' requests but eventually engaged in an extramarital relationship that was discovered by her husband and coworkers. Adrian Aviles, her estranged husband, shared text messages with *The Express-News* that detail Gonzales' persistent harassment, including a late-night exchange where he asked for "a sexy pic" and insisted she send one despite her objections. The texts also show Gonzales discussing intimate details and planning meetings with Santos-Aviles during work hours. After the affair was exposed, Santos-Aviles faced workplace ostracization and reportedly spiraled into depression, leading to her tragic death in September. The Office of Congressional Conduct is investigating Gonzales' behavior following these revelations. The investigation has raised concerns over his failure to comply with a statutory deadline for producing requested communications. Additionally, Adrian Aviles has retained a lawyer to explore potential violations under the 1995 Congressional Accountability Act, which prohibits workplace harassment by lawmakers. Gonzales, who is currently embattled in a competitive Republican primary race, has denied the affair and accused Aviles of exploiting his wife's situation for personal

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Originally published on Rolling Stone on 2/24/2026