Cong. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) in deep trouble

[Pototan]

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales engaged in a romantic relationship with an aide who died last year by setting herself on fire outside her Uvalde home, according to a text message and people close to the aide and her family.

A former staffer in Gonzales' district office who worked closely with the aide, Regina Ann "Regi" Santos-Aviles, said she told him they had an affair in 2024, and that she spiraled into a depression after her husband discovered the relationship and Gonzales abruptly cut her off. He also shared with the San Antonio Express-News a screenshot of a text message from Santos-Aviles in which she acknowledged having an “affair with our boss.”

https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/tony-gonzales-affair-regina-santos-aviles-21357720.php

[malaise]

1. Rec for the party of

Family values

[Kid Berwyn]

2. Tony Gonzalez official statement on the initial reports of Ms. Santos-Aviles passing:

“We are all heart-stricken by the recent news,” said Rep. Gonzales in a statement to KSAT Investigates. “Regina devoted her profession toward making a difference in her community. She will always be remembered for her passion towards Uvalde and helping the community become a better place.”

Source: https://www.ksat.com/news/ksat-investigates/2025/09/17/death-of-congressional-staffer-under-investigation-by-texas-rangers-uvalde-pd-rep-tony-gonzales-heart-stricken/

"Heart-stricken" as opposed to "Heartbroken" stands out.

[newdeal2]

3. Nah, Republican voters will blame the woman

This is not a problem in their eyes.

[hamsterjill]

4. He's a real asshole.

It’s been well known that he was having an affair and he has, of course, denied it.

There has been a lot of speculation that the assistant was pregnant.

He will get off Scott free, I’m sure.

[Greg_In_SF]

5. I don't

see any mention of him being in deep trouble in the article.

[Pototan]

8. Politically

He has a contested primary and an upcoming general election.

I've been involved in politics all of my adult life. If my candidate was publicly exposed as having an affair with his aide, and then she committed suicide by lighting herself on fire, I would evaluate our campaign as in "deep trouble".

[Torchlight]

9. Sounds rather serious

Good luck!

[CTyankee]

6. EVERY DAY, and new horror!!!

These repukes are nothing but a horror show.....

[cloudbase]

7. He can now be Paxton's new BFF.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

10. GOP aide who died by lighting herself on fire alleged affair with House Republican: report

This asshole needs to be voted out of office

GOP aide who died by lighting herself on fire alleged affair with House Republican: report

— Raw Story (@rawstory.com) 2026-02-18T01:55:16.457Z

https://www.rawstory.com/tony-gonzales-2675278691

A Republican House staffer who died after setting herself on fire last year claimed in text messages to have had an affair with Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX).

According to The San Antonio Express-News, "A former staffer in Gonzales' district office who worked closely with the aide, Regina Ann 'Regi' Santos-Aviles, said she told him they had an affair in 2024, and that she spiraled into a depression after her husband discovered the relationship and Gonzales abruptly cut her off. He also shared with the San Antonio Express-News a screenshot of a text message from Santos-Aviles in which she acknowledged having an 'affair with our boss.'"

Gonzales is a married father of six.

"A lawyer for Santos-Aviles' husband said her romantic relationship with the congressman was an open secret, and that he does not believe it played a role in her death," said the report. However, "The staffer, who asked not to be named, citing a fear of retaliation, faulted Gonzales' office for failing to intervene, saying he warned the congressman's district director months before Santos-Aviles' death that he was concerned about her well-being. He described her as his 'best friend' and said their families knew each other."

Gonzales, who represents a sprawling district that covers most of the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas as well as the southwestern suburbs of San Antonio, is currently locked in a tough primary race with gun rights activist Brandon Herrera, who also fielded a close challenge for this seat in 2024.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

11. MaddowBlog-Salacious allegations jolt Texas GOP race ahead of closely watched primary

Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas is facing allegations that could end his congressional career.

Salacious allegations jolt Texas GOP race ahead of closely watched primary - MS NOW

apple.news/AzxxmX5waQxi...

— (@oc88.bsky.social) 2026-02-19T18:58:16.486Z

https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/salacious-allegations-jolt-texas-gop-race-ahead-of-closely-watched-primary

The San Antonio Express-News, Gonzales’ hometown newspaper, reported on a text message from Regina Santos-Aviles, a former aide to the congressman, who said she had an extramarital affair with Gonzales. Santos-Aviles died by suicide last year.

While these allegations against the Texas Republican have come up before, and Gonzales, a married father of six, has long denied any wrongdoing, the Express-News reported that a former aide to the congressman came forward to say that Santos-Aviles told him about the relationship. That same aide (who asked not to be named by the Express-News, citing a fear of retaliation) provided a text message from Santos-Aviles in which she said she “had an affair with our boss.” (He shared the same evidence with The New York Times.)

The unproven accusations are notable for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that the Express-News’ report was published just two weeks before the primary in Texas. Indeed, The Wall Street Journal reported that Gonzales’ principal intraparty rival believes it’s time for the incumbent to quit.

The top Republican challenger to Rep. Tony Gonzales called for him to drop out of the primary race on Wednesday following allegations that he engaged in an extramarital affair with an aide.

As early voting kicked off in Texas, Brandon Herrera said Gonzalez should discontinue his re-election campaign because of an alleged relationship with the aide, Regina Santos-Aviles … Separately on Wednesday, the lawyer for Santos-Aviles’s husband said Gonzales publicly needs to take accountability for what he described as an inappropriate sexual affair between a boss and his subordinate.

In his latest statement, the congressman, who barely prevailed in a primary race two years ago, did not directly address the underlying allegation. Rather, Gonzales praised Santos-Aviles’ work and accused his primary challenger of using a “disgruntled former staffer to smear her memory and score political points” as early voting began.

Time will tell whether and to what extent local voters are moved by the controversy, but the editorial board of the Express-News, which endorsed Gonzales’ re-election bid, changed its mind in a piece published this week. Watch this space