Congressman’s Aide DEAD—Affair Cover-Up Explodes

Person reading news headline Scandal Unfolds on tablet

A married Texas congressman stands accused of having an affair with his aide who later died by suicide, and his refusal to address the allegations raises serious questions about character and accountability as he seeks reelection with Trump’s endorsement.

Story Snapshot

Text messages reveal U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales’ aide Regina Santos-Aviles admitted to an affair with “our boss” months before her tragic September 2025 suicide
The San Antonio Express-News withdrew its endorsement of Gonzales after the bombshell revelations, citing “disturbing lack of character”
Primary challenger Brandon Herrera and other Republicans are calling for Gonzales to step down ahead of the March 3, 2026 primary election
Gonzales refuses to address the affair allegations directly, instead blaming political opponents for “smears” despite documented text evidence

Text Messages Expose Congressional Workplace Scandal

Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, a senior regional director in U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales’ Uvalde office, sent text messages to a colleague on April 28, 2025, admitting she had an affair with “our boss.” The San Antonio Express-News obtained and verified these messages, which directly contradict Gonzales’ previous denials of any inappropriate relationship. Santos-Aviles, 35, was married to Adrian Aviles and had a son. The congressman, 45, is also married with six children, representing Texas’ 23rd Congressional District covering San Antonio, Uvalde, and the Texas-Mexico border region since 2021.

Professional Isolation Preceded Tragic Death

After the affair became known among staff in May 2024, Santos-Aviles experienced significant professional isolation within the office. Former colleagues report she was frozen out of important work assignments, including visits to Uvalde and canceled meetings that had previously been part of her responsibilities. This workplace ostracism occurred in the community where she had served an important role following the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting. The isolation intensified her mental health struggles, leading her to begin antidepressant treatment during summer 2025. Multiple former staffers confirmed the affair was common knowledge within the office.

Suicide Raises Questions About Power Dynamics

Santos-Aviles died by suicide on September 13 or 14, 2025, by self-immolation at her Uvalde home. The Bexar County Medical Examiner officially ruled her death a suicide in November 2025. Uvalde Police and Texas Rangers investigated and found no evidence of foul play. Bobby Barrera, the attorney representing her husband Adrian Aviles, confirmed the affair was widely known but stated he did not believe it was directly related to her suicide. However, a former staffer who raised mental health concerns about Santos-Aviles to district director Jalen Falcon in June 2025 suggested the professional fallout from the affair contributed to her depression spiral.

Congressman Deflects as Primary Heats Up

Gonzales has consistently denied the affair allegations, calling them “completely untruthful” at the Texas Tribune Festival in November 2024 when rumors first surfaced publicly. Following the February 17-18, 2026 Express-News investigation, Gonzales issued a statement refusing to “engage in personal smears,” instead focusing on President Trump’s agenda and blaming primary opponent Brandon Herrera for politicizing the death. His office attempted to discredit the former staffer who provided the text messages by claiming she now works for Democratic campaigns in Los Angeles, an assertion the staffer denied. This deflection strategy raises concerns about transparency and accountability expected from elected officials.

GOP Primary Battle Intensifies With Resignation Calls

The revelations arrive at a critical moment for Gonzales, who faces gun rights activist Brandon Herrera in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary. Gonzales narrowly defeated Herrera by just 400 votes in the 2024 primary after redistricting, though he won the general election by 24 points in the safely Republican district. Herrera immediately called for Gonzales to step down, stating “Tony must step down.” State Representative Wes Virdell echoed this sentiment, saying “If true, Tony should step down” and noting the situation prevents healing for Santos-Aviles’ family. Despite Trump’s December 2025 endorsement of Gonzales, the documented evidence presents a character test for voters who value traditional family values and ethical leadership.

Newspaper Withdraws Endorsement Over Character Concerns

The San Antonio Express-News took the extraordinary step of withdrawing its endorsement of Gonzales in February 2026, citing his “disturbing lack of character.” The newspaper’s editorial board emphasized the inherent power imbalance in a boss-subordinate affair, noting such relationships are fundamentally unequal regardless of consent. This represents a significant blow to Gonzales’ reelection campaign, as the affair involves not just marital infidelity but workplace ethics violations that conservatives traditionally view as disqualifying. The timing, with early voting already underway for the March 3 primary, leaves voters weighing credible documented evidence against political deflections and unanswered questions about judgment and integrity in office.