Rep. Tony Gonzales Faces 2020 Sexual Solicitation Allegations

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas, faces fresh allegations of inappropriate conduct after text messages from 2020 surfaced, showing him repeatedly soliciting nude photos and sex from his campaign's political director during his first congressional bid.

The messages, exchanged in June 2020 as Gonzales campaigned for Texas's 23rd Congressional District, began with casual late-night conversation about the staffer's dating life before escalating to explicit requests. According to the exchanges, Gonzales asked what she wore to bed and what kind of underwear she had on, then described desired sexual acts, including a request for her to "squeeze my balls." After multiple refusals, he texted, "47 nos is about my limit," and later added, "I know what I want and won't stop until I get it." The staffer, who spoke anonymously, responded at one point with a facepalm emoji and suggested he save such persistence for Congress. She told reporters that no physical contact occurred and that she turned down his invitations for late-night visits, though he did stop by her home briefly on one occasion without staying.

The former political director came forward with the messages after...