Rep. Tony Gonzales Heads to Runoff Amid Affair Allegations

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales will face a runoff election after failing to secure a majority vote in the Republican primary for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, as reported by the Texas Tribune. He will compete against gun rights activist Brandon Herrera in a rematch of the 2024 primary runoff.

A Contentious Race Marked by Controversy

The race has been significantly impacted by allegations of an affair between Gonzales and a former aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, who died in September. CBS News details how the allegations resurfaced last month, leading to calls for Gonzales to resign from both sides of the political aisle.

Affair Allegations and Texts

According to texts obtained by CBS News and CNN, Gonzales sent sexually suggestive messages to Santos-Aviles, including a request for a “sexy pic.” Santos-Aviles repeatedly expressed discomfort with the messages, stating, “This is going too far, Tony.”

Gonzales’ Response and Accusations

Gonzales has denied having an affair with Santos-Aviles. However, he has accused Herrera of amplifying the allegations and has also claimed that Santos-Aviles’ widower and his attorney were attempting to blackmail him, as reported by CNN.

Previous Runoff and Political Shifts

Herrera previously challenged Gonzales in a 2024 runoff, losing by only a few hundred votes. Gonzales, initially considered a moderate, has since attempted to shift to the right, securing an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, according to CBS News. However, Trump did not include Gonzales on a list of endorsements released Friday.

Congressional Investigation

The Office of Congressional Conduct completed an investigation into the alleged affair last month, but House rules prevented the release of a report before the primary election, the Texas Tribune reported.

Looking Ahead to the Runoff

The runoff election is scheduled for May 26th. The winner will advance to the general election in November to represent Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, which encompasses over 800 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. The Hill notes that the district was redrawn in 2021 to be more safely Republican.