On Sept. 14, 2025, Regina Santos-Aviles, 35, who had been an aide to Rep. Tony Gonzales, died after being found critically burned the night before, according to the Uvalde Police Department. In November, her death was ruled a suicide by the Bexar County Medical Examiner.
Months before she died, Santos-Aviles texted a former staffer, “I had affair with our boss and I’m fine,” reports CBS News who reviewed the text exchange.
The affair was discovered by her husband, Adrian, in May 2024 when he read “sexual” text messages between her and the congressman. After learning of the affair, Adrian sent text messages to the congressman and members of his staff. The couple separated but did not file for divorce, according to attorney for Adrian Bobby Barrera.
Santos-Aviles had been the regional director for Gonzales at his Uvalde office since 2021. She was in charge of 11 of the 23 counties in the district and, according to her husband, she was “damn good at what she did.”
Affair Aftermath
After Adrian made the affair public by texting the congressman and his staff, Santos-Aviles was treated differently at work. Her husband said, “they black-sheeped her. They severed communications with her. They gave her a month off. They’re essentially trying to push her out … and make her quit.”
Another former staffer told the Express-News that after her husband discovered the affair and Gonzales cut her off, Santos-Aviles spiraled into depression.
Barrera was asked by KSAT if he believed if the affair played a role in her suicide, he replied, “Clearly, Regina taking her own life is a result of the collateral consequences of the discovery of that affair. And them after the discovery of the affair, she began to receive different treatment at work … All of that was because Tony Gonzales encouraged, manipulated and induced her into this sexual affair as her employer.”
He added, “Once that staffer went public with information we were trying to keep confidential, it became necessary for Adrian to respond publicly to the comments that were being made by Tony Gonzales in his denial of this affair. This matter is a personal matter for Adrian and his son. For everyone else, it’s an opportunity to destroy the political career of Tony Gonzales.”
Gonzales’ Denial
During an appearance on a panel on November, the 45-year-old congressman denied the affair, “The rumors are completely untruthful.”
Gonzales is a married father of six children. He referred to Santos-Aviles a “kind soul who devoted her life to making the community a better place. Her efforts led to improvements in school safety, healthcare, and rural water like never before.”
On Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, Gonzales would not speak about the affair, but said he would not “engage in these personal smears and instead remain focused on helping President Trump secure the border and improve the lives of all Texans.”
Political Consequences
The 45-year-old congressman is running for a fourth term. His challenger, Brandon Herrera, called on him to exit the race on Tuesday, when early voting began for the March 3 primary. “This is completely unacceptable behavior for anyone, let along a sitting member of Congress. Tony must step down,” Herrera posted on social media.
Rep. Wes Vidrell agreed the congressman should step down. “If this is true, and it does appear credible, Tony should step down. The family deserves to heal and get past this terrible tragedy. That will be impossible to do if they have to see the person who did it show no remorse for the situation and get re-elected to represent them in Congress.”
Sources:
KSAT: Attorney: US Rep. Tony Gonzales had affair with aide who died by suicide
CBS News: Months before death by suicide, aide texted colleague she had an affair with her boss, Rep. Tony Gonzales
San Antonio Express-News: ‘Abused his power:’ Husband of Tony Gonzales aide breaks silence about affair
Featured Image Courtesy of Nick M’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
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