Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
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.
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.