Rep. Tony Gonzales is headed to a runoff in the Republican primary in Texas, according to NBC News projections. The campaign has been marked by allegations of an affair with a staffer in his congressional office who tragically died by suicide last year. Pro-gun activist Brandon Herrera is set to face Gonzales in the runoff for the Republican nomination after no candidate in the primary secured a majority.
Herrera previously forced Gonzales into a runoff in 2024, narrowly missing out on defeating him by a few hundred votes. Despite receiving an endorsement from former President Donald Trump this time around, Gonzales has faced a backlash over the affair allegations resurfacing last month.
Although Gonzales has denied the affair with former staffer Regina Santos-Aviles, the claims garnered attention after Santos-Aviles’ widower publicly accused Gonzales. Reports surfaced that Gonzales had sent inappropriate text messages to Santos-Aviles. Gonzales has not directly addressed the allegations since they resurfaced, instead accusing Herrera of fueling them for political reasons. He also accused Santos-Aviles’ widower and his lawyer of blackmail.
Recent sources familiar with the investigation revealed that the probe into the alleged affair by the Office of Congressional Conduct has concluded. However, House rules prevented the transmission of a report to the House Ethics Committee right before the election.
Gonzales, a former naval officer, was elected in 2020 to represent Texas’ 23rd Congressional District. He currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee and has displayed some bipartisan actions, such as supporting a gun safety measure after a mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. His voting record, which includes backing an independent investigation into the Capitol riot and legislation protecting same-sex and interracial marriages, has drawn criticism from the Texas Republican Party and conservatives like Herrera.
Context notes: – Rep. Tony Gonzales is facing a runoff in the Republican primary in Texas. – Brandon Herrera is the pro-gun activist set to challenge Gonzales in the runoff. – Allegations of an affair with a staffer have impacted Gonzales’ campaign.
Fact Check note: – The claim that Gonzales sent sexual text messages to Santos-Aviles is reported but not confirmed.
