GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales forced into primary runoff after affair allegations shake up race

Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales has been forced into a repetition superior runoff with far-right weapon activistic Brandon Herrera, CBS News projects, weeks aft Gonzales was accused of having an matter with an adjutant who aboriginal died by termination — drafting calls for him to resign.

Gonzales and Herrera are locked successful a choky contest, with neither campaigner expected to wide the 50% threshold required to debar a runoff connected May 26.

Gonzales was archetypal elected successful 2020, and had branded himself arsenic a moderate. In a superior situation from Herrera successful 2024, Gonzales lone prevailed by 400 votes. Gonzales has since pursued a rightward displacement and touted his endorsement by President Trump successful this race, though Mr. Trump near his sanction disconnected a database of endorsements connected Friday. 

But Gonzales had been facing calls to resign from members of some parties aft texts were revealed past period betwixt him and erstwhile adjutant Regina Santos-Aviles, who died successful September aft mounting herself connected fire, according to the Uvalde police. 

According to texts obtained by CBS News, Gonzales asked Santos-Aviles for a "sexy pic" successful May 2024. After a back-and-forth, Santos-Aviles said she didn't similar taking photos of herself. He responded successful a brace of texts: "I'm conscionable specified a ocular person" and "Sorry."

The congressman past asked Santos-Aviles what her "favorite position" is. She asked him to reply first, and helium did.

The adjutant past texted: "This is going excessively acold boss. So however agelong person you thought I was this hot?"

After different back-and-forth, Santos-Aviles said again: "This is excessively far, Tony."

Gonzales, who has antecedently denied having an affair, is joined and has six children. Santos-Aviles was besides joined and had an 8-year-old son. 

Texas' 23rd Congressional District, which encompasses much than 800 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, had agelong been considered a plaything district, but was redrawn successful 2021 to beryllium much safely Republican, and Gonzales won by much than 20 percent points successful the 2024 election. The territory is inactive considered harmless Republican aft Texas' 2025 redistricting.