Texas Rep. Gonzales Faces Fallout Over Alleged Affair With Deceased Aide

Regina Santos-Aviles, a former advisor to Rep. Tony Gonzales, died by suicide in 2025 after her husband discovered texts about the alleged relationship.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Texas Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales is facing scrutiny over an alleged affair with his former aide, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who died by suicide in 2025. Text messages purportedly sent by Santos-Aviles appear to confirm the relationship, which would violate House ethics rules. Gonzales has denied the affair, but the allegations could impact his upcoming GOP primary race.

Why it matters

The alleged affair between Gonzales and his staffer would be prohibited under House ethics rules, potentially leading to an investigation by the House Ethics Committee. The scandal may also affect Gonzales' political future, as his primary opponent has called for him to step down and the local newspaper has withdrawn its endorsement.

The details

According to reports, Santos-Aviles, a 35-year-old regional director for Gonzales, died by suicide in September 2025 after her husband discovered text messages that appeared to confirm an affair between her and the congressman. The text messages, revealed by the San Antonio Express-News, included one in which Santos-Aviles acknowledged having an "affair with our boss." Santos-Aviles' husband, Adrian Aviles, said the messages were "very sexual in nature" and that Gonzales "abused his power" through the relationship. Gonzales has denied the affair, but the scandal has led to political fallout, including the San Antonio Express-News withdrawing its endorsement of the congressman.

  • On September 14, 2025, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles died by suicide outside her home in Uvalde, Texas.
  • In May 2024, Santos-Aviles' husband, Adrian Aviles, discovered text messages that appeared to confirm an affair between his wife and Rep. Tony Gonzales.
  • In November 2025, Gonzales addressed Santos-Aviles' death during an interview at the Texas Tribune Festival, denying the affair allegations as "completely untruthful."

The players

Regina Ann Santos-Aviles

A 35-year-old regional director for Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales who died by suicide in 2025 after her husband discovered text messages that appeared to confirm an affair between her and the congressman.

Tony Gonzales

A Republican Congressman representing Texas's 23rd congressional district since 2021, who is accused of having an affair with his former aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, before her death.

Adrian Aviles

The husband of Regina Santos-Aviles, who discovered text messages that appeared to confirm his wife's affair with Congressman Tony Gonzales.

Brandon Herrera

Gonzales' GOP primary opponent, who has called for Gonzales to step down over the alleged affair.

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What they’re saying

“People throwing rocks at me, saying I'm doing nasty things—I totally get that. But the rumors are completely untruthful.”

— Tony Gonzales, Congressman (San Antonio Express-News)

“This is completely unacceptable behavior for anyone, let along a sitting member of Congress. Tony must step down.”

— Brandon Herrera, GOP Primary Opponent (X)

“I had [an] affair with our boss and I'm fine.”

— Regina Santos-Aviles (Text Message)

What’s next

The political fallout from the alleged affair will continue, as Gonzales faces his GOP primary opponent Brandon Herrera on March 3.

The takeaway

The scandal surrounding the alleged affair between Congressman Tony Gonzales and his former aide Regina Santos-Aviles, who died by suicide, highlights the importance of upholding ethical standards for elected officials and their staff, and the potential consequences of abusing power in political relationships.