U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales (TX-23) has announced his intention to retire from Congress. His official filing is expected on Tuesday, April 14, though the effective date of his departure is not yet specified. It is anticipated that Gonzales will serve out his current term unless he resigns or is removed sooner.

Misconduct Allegations and Ethics Investigation

Gonzales' decision comes amid serious allegations of sexual misconduct. These include an affair with a former Regional District Director, Regina Santos-Aviles, whose family claims it significantly contributed to her death by self-immolation. The representative began his congressional service on January 3, 2021, and his current term was set to end on January 3, 2027.

The announcement follows increasing pressure from both Republican and Democratic leaders for the expulsion of lawmakers involved in sexual misconduct. Representative Eric Swalwell is also mentioned in this context. The House Ethics Committee is currently conducting an official investigation into Gonzales' conduct.

House Ethics Regulations

House ethics rules strictly prohibit members of Congress from engaging in sexual relationships with their staff. This regulation is central to the ongoing investigation into Representative Gonzales.

Tragic Death of Regina Santos-Aviles

In September, emergency services responded to Regina Santos-Aviles' residence in Uvalde after she reportedly set herself on fire. She was transported to a San Antonio hospital, where she later died from her injuries. The Bexar County Medical Examiner officially ruled her death a suicide by self-immolation.

Text Message Evidence

Surveillance footage from Uvalde reportedly confirms Santos-Aviles was alone at the time of the incident. Text messages exchanged in May 2024 between Gonzales and Santos-Aviles reveal concerning exchanges. Gonzales allegedly asked for a "sexy pic," to which Santos-Aviles responded about her life being a "Telenovela" and questioning if he truly wanted such a picture. Gonzales replied, "I’m just such a visual person."

During these exchanges, which occurred between 12:15 a.m. and 12:54 a.m., Santos-Aviles expressed on two occasions that the situation had escalated too far. Additional text messages suggest Gonzales pursued a sexual relationship with his campaign’s political director in 2020, prior to his admitted affair with Santos-Aviles in 2024. In one message, Gonzales allegedly described the staffer as "a smart girl and she shouldn’t settle."