Scandal-plagued Texas incumbent faces voters in high-stakes primary
Most of the attention in Texas on Tuesday is focused on the U.S. Senate primary. But another race on the ballot is causing a political headache for House Republicans.
Allegations overshadow primary race
Incumbent Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales is seeking to advance to November’s general election by fending off a challenge from fellow Republican Brandon Herrera. Texas’ 23rd Congressional District stretches roughly 800 miles along the U.S.-Mexico border and includes parts of San Antonio, Uvalde and El Paso. Gonzales has represented the district since 2021.
The race has been overshadowed by controversy.
As Straight Arrow News reported, Gonzales has been accused of having an affair with a top staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, and of requesting sexually explicit photos. After word of the alleged relationship reportedly spread through the office, Santos-Aviles died by suicide last fall after setting herself on fire.
Gonzales has denied the allegations, and the House Ethics Committee’s investigation into his conduct remains ongoing.
In media interviews criticizing the congressman, the staffer’s husband has described the text messages as “substantial” and “graphic.”
GOP pressure builds as leadership stands firm
Several fellow Republicans — including Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Nancy Mace of South Carolina and Thomas Massie of Kentucky — have called on Gonzales to drop out of the race.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, who wrote on X that all members of Congress should condemn “a sitting Member of Congress asking for explicit photos of their staff,” has also called on him to drop out.
Despite those calls, Gonzales has remained in the race, setting up a primary showdown with Herrera and putting House Speaker Mike Johnson in a delicate position. Johnson endorsed Gonzales before the allegations surfaced and, according to Politico, has not withdrawn that endorsement.
Primary outcome could affect House math
Republicans currently hold a narrow 218–214 House majority, with three vacancies. If Gonzales were to resign before his term ends, that margin would narrow further.
Some Republicans have suggested a different outcome may be more manageable: a primary defeat, followed by Gonzales serving out the remainder of his term.
“Should he lose the primary, which a lot of us expect him to do, he’ll probably just serve out his term,” Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-Fla.) said. “People still deserve to have a congressman doing the constituent work, et cetera.”
Haridopolos added that he believes Gonzales’ days in Congress are likely numbered. Johnson has said Gonzales’ political future is up to Texas voters.
Herrera optimistic about primary
Herrera has expressed optimism about his chances, noting support from some House conservatives who have publicly criticized Gonzales. He said top Republican leadership and the National Republican Congressional Committee have not reached out to him about the race.
“There’s no accountability there, and I think he’s about to find accountability on March 3.”
The contest is a rematch of 2024, when Gonzales defeated Herrera by just over 350 votes.
Four Democrats are also competing in Tuesday’s primary for a chance to face the Republican nominee in November.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
