Overview
- Messages published by the San Antonio Express-News and obtained by NBC show Tony Gonzales asked then-staffer Regina Santos-Aviles for a “sexy pic” and sexual details, prompting her replies that it was “too far.”
- Multiple House Republicans, including Lauren Boebert, Nancy Mace, Brandon Gill and Tim Burchett, urged Gonzales to resign or exit the race, while Speaker Mike Johnson called the allegations serious but withheld a resignation call.
- Gonzales denied having an affair and accused the aide’s widower and his lawyer of attempted blackmail, citing an email about a proposed nondisclosure agreement; both men deny the claim.
- The Office of Congressional Conduct has completed its review but cannot transmit any findings to the House Ethics Committee until after the March 3 Texas primary due to election blackout rules.
- A Pi Polling survey conducted Feb. 18–20 shows Gonzales trailing challenger Brandon Herrera 45% to 21%; the Freedom Caucus’ campaign arm endorsed Herrera, and prior endorsements for Gonzales by President Trump and Speaker Johnson remain in place.