House Ethics Committee Probes Texas Republican Tony Gonzales Over Claims Of Improper Affairs
The House Ethics Committee announced Wednesday that it is launching an investigation into Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales following allegations of improper dealings.
An investigative subcommittee announced it would investigate allegations that Gonzales “engaged in sexual misconduct toward an individual employed in his congressional office” and “discriminated unfairly in granting special favors or privileges,” the Republican committee chairman, Rep. Michael Guest, wrote Wednesday.
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 10: U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales (R-TX) speaks during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing February 10, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Department of Homeland Security has faced criticism over law enforcement tactics targeting undocumented immigrants and the killing of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
After his primary Tuesday, Gonzales heads into a runoff election against YouTuber Brandon Herrera, a gun rights advocate, on May 26. (RELATED: Texas GOP incumbent Tony Gonzales advances toward GOP runoff amid sex scandal, staff suicide tragedy)
The employee in question is former employee Regina Santos-Aviles, who died after setting herself on fire. The scandal, which followed him throughout a hotly contested primary, will likely remain a major issue heading into the runoff.
Internal regulations prohibit members from having sexual relations with staff.
Under House procedures, the Ethics Committee generally has 90 days to release a report from the Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC). However, when the committee votes to create an investigative subcommittee – as it does in this case – it can take up to a year to make the OCC’s findings public. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Poll Shows Brandon Herrera Overtaking Tony Gonzales in Key House Primary)
Guest said Wednesday that members of the investigative subcommittee have not yet been named, indicating the investigation is in its early stages. Ethics committee investigations do not follow a fixed timeline and often take months to resolve.
News — Embattled Rep. Tony Gonzales tells me he remains in the runoff and plans to respond to the allegations today. I asked him if he had an affair with the staff member and he only said he would talk about it today. pic.twitter.com/JFdej57wNk
– Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 4, 2026
The former assistant’s ex-husband has been circulating text messages that he says show Gonzales asking for a “sexy photo” and asking her what her favorite sex position is. In a May 2024 exchange, Santos-Aviles reportedly rebuffed the congressman, writing, “This is going too far, boss.” Gonzales recently declined to say whether the messages were authentic.
He has denied any wrongdoing or inappropriate relationship with Santos-Avilés and has strongly rejected calls for him to resign or end his re-election campaign, including some from his fellow Republicans.
Tony Gonzales’ response to House Ethics Committee investigation: “I welcome the opportunity to present all the facts to the committee. »
–Liz Elkind (@liz_elkind) March 4, 2026
President of the House Mike Johnsonwho navigates a narrow Republican majority, called the allegations “very serious” but stopped short of urging the Texas representative to step down, saying the matter would ultimately “play out” in the context of his re-election bid. (RELATED: GOP lawmaker accused of steamy affair with staffer receiving visit from boss)
The OCC, a nonpartisan office run by a council of private citizens, had begun investigating the allegations against Gonzales in November. It was necessary to refer the matter to the House Ethics Committee by Wednesday for further review or dismissal, according to the San Antonio Express-News report.
The Daily Caller reached out to representatives of Gonzales’ office but did not receive a response to requests for comment at the time of publication.
