House speaker tells GOP Rep. Gonzales to promptly address affair allegations

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CNN Politics

PUBLISHED Feb 23, 2026, 3:01 PM ET


House Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday said he’s spoken with Rep. Tony Gonzales about the “very serious” allegations against him and told the Texas Republican to address the claims. As the March 3 primary in the state draws nearer, allegations that Gonzales had an affair with a staffer who died by suicide last year have taken new hold. Gonzales has denied the affair and said he’s being blackmailed.

Johnson had endorsed Gonzales’ bid for reelection to his San Antonio-area seat. Gonzales faces Brandon Herrera, a YouTube personality who ran against him in 2024, in a tough GOP primary fight.

“I endorsed Tony before all these allegations came out. They’re obviously very serious, and I’ve spoken with him and told him he’s got to address that in an appropriate way with his constituents and all of that,” Johnson said Monday when asked if he still supported the congressman. “So it’s too early for anybody to prejudge any of that, but we’ll see how it develops,” the Republican leader continued.

Attorney Bobby Barrera, who represents Adrian Aviles, said his client’s spouse – Gonzales district staffer Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who died by self-immolation last year – had confessed that she had been having an affair with the congressman in June 2024.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/23/politics/tony-gonzales-affair-allegations-mike-johnson

[Zorro]

1. Gonzales already said it was a dastardly plot by his adversaries

to besmirch his character.

[AZJonnie]

2. What are the "very serious allegations" being spoken of here?

I've not heard of this story before this article.

Is Gonzalez suspected of somehow being involved in the woman's death? Was he abusive towards her or could otherwise be assumed to be contributing to her (presumably depressed) state of mind?

Or is it basically just "you had an affair with her, then she killed herself, ergo, you're responsible" type of thing?

[BumRushDaShow]

3. I usually try to go back and grab previous articles as "references" when available

but I am still dealing with "a THING" that blew up off the east coast and deposited 15" of snow at my house.

So I am going back and forth between here and my weather forum.

Here is the earlier article about this guy and this case - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143619689

I also saw a couple things from 2024 including one where he assumed the GOP would lose the House back in 2024 and that indicated that his district was also the one where all those young campers died (Camp Mystic).

So it could be they are trying to cut bait and drop kick him out.

[mopinko]

4. there was a thread this morning w text msgs.

[Callie1979]

6. First I've heard of any of this too. nt

[Torchlight]

5. To translate Squeaker Johnson:

"We don't have our stories straight yet, haven't even come up with any excuses... so I can't tell you anything of substance (but c'mon guys, do I ever?)"

[Ilsa]

7. She killed herself by immolation over blackmail? Uh, NO..

Her suicide by immolation is likely a reflection of a much worse personal moral failing, like adultery. This may not be true, but I think it is the underlying psychology of her behavior. Poor thing.