'Disgusting': Republicans turn on House colleague amid 'predator' accusations

As more revelations come to light for Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX), a growing number of Republicans have called on him to step down.

Gonzales was reportedly having an affair with Regina Santos-Aviles, who ran his congressional branch office in Uvalde, and died after setting herself on fire last year. Newly revealed text messages show that Gonzales pressured Santos-Aviles to send him "sexy pics," which appeared to make her uncomfortable. Both the congressman and his deceased staffer were married.

Gonzales, who is struggling to fend off a primary challenge from far-right gun activist Brandon Herrera despite President Donald Trump's endorsement of his re-election, now faces calls to resign from his own party.

"I have now seen some of the text messages between Tony Gonzales and his late aide, Regina Santos-Aviles," wrote Herrera, Gonzales' primary challenger, in a post on X. "It is now clear to me Tony Gonzales is a sexual predator, who abused his position of power and wrecked a family. I also now know this is not the only case. He must resign."

Meanwhile, some Republicans in Congress are singing the same tune.

"RESIGN," wrote Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) on X.

She added separately, "The @NRCC should now direct their spending commitments to Brandon Herrera!"

Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) wrote on X, "America deserves better. Tony should drop out of the race."

"The entire Texas delegation, as well as every single other Member of Congress, should be condemning a sitting Member of Congress asking for explicit photos of their staff," wrote Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL). "As a woman, this is really disgusting to see. Not to mention, it brings dishonor on the House of Representatives. I am so sick of people not calling this crap out. Again, like I’ve said before, this is not the only case of this crap up here. @RepTonyGonzales, shame on you."

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), meanwhile, took a more cautious tone, telling Punchbowl News' Jake Sherman that Gonzales deserves to have the allegations properly investigated — but all but signaled his position in Congress would be untenable if they were found true.

"I think, as in every case, you have to allow the investigations to play out and all the facts to come out," said Johnson. "I've been intellectually consistent about this. Whether you're talking about Republicans or Democrats — you have to let the system play out. I was against, for example, the expulsion of George Santos ... Because he had been accused of a crime and indicted but not found guilty. If the accusation of something is going to be the litmus test for someone being able to continue to serve in the House, a lot of people would have to resign or be removed or expelled from Congress. So I think you gotta allow this to play out."

"I think it is very serious," he added. "The allegations are clearly very serious and Tony Gonzales will address it — I think he will."