‘This is going too far boss’: Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales appears to pursue staffer who died in explicit text messages

Text messages appear to show Texas Rep. Tony Gonzalez seeking a relationship with his former employee, Regina Santos Aviles, more than a year before she died by suicide.

The letters were provided to ABC News by Santos Aviles’ widower.

In a series of text messages dating back to May 2024, Gonzalez, a married father of six, repeatedly requested “sexy” photos from Santos Avilés. The assistant seemed hesitant at first, writing: “You don’t really want a sexy photo of me.”

“I’m just a visual person” and “sorry,” Gonzalez continues.

He also appears to ask Santos-Aviles about her sexual preferences. Santos Avilés responds to the request by saying, “That’s too much, Boss,” but appears to engage in the flirtation, saying, “Since when did you think I was so hot?”

The final text dates back to June 2024 in which Santos Avilés’ husband, Adrian Avilés, sent a text message to Gonzalez and several employees from Regina’s phone, telling them he was filing for divorce due to the discovery of her messages with Gonzalez, and texted the group’s thread: “[S]He was having an affair [him] With your boss Tony Gonzalez.” The recipients of these text messages include several current employees, although ABC News has withheld their names and contact information.

Gonzalez’s campaign did not respond to ABC News’ requests for comment regarding the newly obtained text messages.

Gonzalez He denied allegations that he was involved in an extramarital affair with a congressional aide who died by suicide last fall — demanding that the Uvalde Police Department release its report on her death over the objections of her family.

Santos Avilés, 35, died on Sept. 14, 2025, after dousing herself with an accelerant and setting herself on fire at her home in Uvalde, Texas, Bexar County officials determined.

Adrian Aviles’ attorney, Bobby Barrera, told ABC News that his client did not share the text messages with congressional investigators, who are prepared to send a report to the House Ethics Committee as soon as next week.

ABC News confirmed that Gonzalez is being investigated by the Office of Congressional Conduct, which has already completed its investigation. Due to its rules, the OCC may not file a report against a member of Congress 60 days before an election. Gonzalez is running in a primary election on March 3, so the report is expected to be referred to the House Ethics Committee the next day.

Last week, Gonzalez told ABC News that “Ms. Santos Avilés was a kind soul who dedicated her life to making the community a better place.”

See also: Texas congressman attacks his opponent amid reports of an alleged affair with his aide who died by suicide

This controversy is now attracting the attention of Gonzalez’s Republican colleagues. On Monday, Colorado GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert called on Gonzalez to resign. She was later joined by Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace of South Carolina. Texas Republican Brandon Gill and Florida Republican Ana Paulina Luna called on Gonzalez to drop his re-election bid.

When House Speaker Mike Johnson was asked about their statements by reporters, he said he did not believe it was “the time to call for resignation” and that “you have to allow investigations to take place and all the facts to come out.” The Council President currently has a majority of one vote.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide – free and confidential help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text the National Lifeline on 988.