Aide's Text Reveals Affair with Congressman Before Tragic Death
In a startling revelation, Regina Santos-Aviles, an aide to Congressman Tony Gonzales, sent a text to a colleague disclosing an affair with the Republican representative. This message surfaced months before her tragic death, which occurred after she was found critically burned near her Uvalde home.
"I had an affair with our boss and I'm fine," Santos-Aviles reportedly stated in the text exchange, which has drawn significant attention.
On September 14, 2025, Santos-Aviles succumbed to her injuries, with the Bexar County Medical Examiner later ruling her death a suicide. The circumstances surrounding her passing have raised numerous questions and concerns.
Congressman Gonzales, when approached for comment, refrained from addressing the allegations directly. Instead, he emphasized his commitment to his political duties, stating he would not engage in "personal smears" and would focus on securing the border and improving Texans' lives.
During a panel discussion in November, Gonzales denied the affair, labeling the rumors as "completely untruthful." He is a married father of six, while Santos-Aviles was also married and had a son.
In a heartfelt tribute, Gonzales described Santos-Aviles as a "kind soul" dedicated to enhancing community welfare through initiatives in school safety and healthcare. He accused political opponent Brandon Herrera of exploiting the situation to tarnish her memory.
Gonzales' office claimed that the former staffer who leaked the text messages has relocated to Los Angeles to work on Democratic campaigns. However, this individual denied any financial ties to Gonzales' political rivals.
As Gonzales campaigns for a fourth term representing Uvalde and parts of San Antonio, he faces increasing scrutiny. The district is traditionally a Republican stronghold, yet the last election saw him win by a narrow margin of 24 points. Herrera, who lost by just 400 votes in the primary, is challenging him again this year and has called for Gonzales to withdraw from the race.
"This is completely unacceptable behavior for anyone, let alone a sitting member of Congress," Herrera asserted on social media. "Tony must step down."
Republican state Representative Wes Vidrell echoed these sentiments, urging Gonzales to resign amid the unfolding scandal. "If this is true, and it does appear credible, Tony should step down," Vidrell stated. "The family deserves to heal and get past this terrible tragedy."
Another former staffer recounted how Santos-Aviles fell into depression after her husband discovered the alleged affair and Gonzales severed ties with her.
In light of these developments, the Express-News has retracted its endorsement of Gonzales in the upcoming race and will refrain from making any recommendations moving forward.
