A second former female staffer for Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales of Texas has publicly accused the lawmaker of sending her sexually explicit messages, escalating the scandal surrounding the embattled politician. This new allegation emerges just months after Gonzales admitted to having an affair with a different aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, who tragically died by suicide in September 2025.
Details of the Allegations
The San Antonio Express-News first broke the story on Monday, with NBC News later confirming the report. The second staffer, whose identity has not been disclosed due to policies protecting victims of sexual harassment, served as the political director for Gonzales's 2020 congressional campaign. Prior to that role, she had a distinguished background, including service in the army and work as a defense contractor.
According to the San Antonio Express-News, which obtained hundreds of text messages, Gonzales allegedly asked the staffer "more than a dozen times to send nude photos over a period of three days" in 2020, persistently continuing despite her repeated refusals. The report further states that the congressman "attempted to initiate a sexual relationship over several weeks."
Staffer's Perspective
"I call it sexual bullying," the former political director told NBC News. "It's kind of like dealing with a toddler. I just kept trying to redirect him." She clarified that although Gonzales visited her home twice, the relationship never became physical, stating, "We didn't so much as touch," in her interview with the San Antonio Express-News.
The staffer explained that while the messages made her uncomfortable, they did not prompt her to resign immediately. She left Gonzales's team after he took office, citing political differences, and later volunteered for Brandon Herrera, a gun rights advocate who ran against Gonzales. Following Gonzales's decision to end his re-election bid, Herrera became the Republican nominee for the congressional seat.
Gonzales's Response and Political Fallout
Gonzales, who is married with six children, has stated his intention to serve out his current term, which concludes in January 2027. However, his political future has been severely compromised. In March, he ended his re-election campaign after the House ethics committee announced an investigation into his relationship with Santos-Aviles. The former political director revealed that she decided to come forward with her story after learning about Santos-Aviles's death in March.
As of now, Gonzales's office has not responded to requests for comment from the media regarding these latest allegations. The scandal continues to unfold, casting a shadow over his career and raising serious questions about conduct within political circles.
