In a defiant move amidst swirling controversy, GOP Representative Tony Gonzales declared on Tuesday that he will not resign from his congressional seat, despite facing serious allegations and pressure from within his own party. The allegations involve an affair with a former staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, who tragically ended her own life.

“I am not going to resign,” stated Gonzales firmly when approached by reporters in the Capitol. The Texas lawmaker is at the center of a political storm, with some fellow Republicans urging him to step down and abandon his re-election campaign. The call for his resignation intensified following the emergence of text messages that purportedly show Gonzales engaging in inappropriate communications with Santos-Aviles.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who earlier in the day expressed his intent to meet with Gonzales, remained non-committal when pressed about whether Gonzales should continue his reelection efforts. “I haven't met with him yet,” Johnson told reporters, highlighting the ongoing deliberations within the party.

The controversy reaches a critical point as Gonzales faces a competitive GOP primary scheduled for March 3. His situation is further complicated by the public calls for resignation from five of his House colleagues, including Representatives Thomas Massie (Kentucky) and Tim Burchett (Tennessee), who have voiced their concerns loudly.

Despite the mounting pressure and the serious nature of the allegations, Gonzales has consistently denied any romantic involvement with Santos-Aviles. Yet, he has not publicly responded to the specifics of the leaked text messages which have fueled the scandal. These messages allegedly show him soliciting intimate photos and discussing sexual acts with the deceased staffer.

Gonzales, seemingly undeterred by the allegations and the calls for his resignation, remains focused on his political role. “I work every day for the people of Texas,” he asserted. He also promised that more details would surface soon, hinting that the current revelations do not paint the full picture. “And there will be an opportunity for all the details and facts to come out. What you've seen is not all the facts,” he concluded, suggesting that the ongoing narrative may only be a part of a more complex story.

As the primary draws near, the embattled congressman’s future remains uncertain, with the scandal undoubtedly shaping his political fate in the days to come.