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By Kate Plummer
Senior US News Reporter
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Republican Representative Tony Gonzales' local newspaper, the San Antonio Express-News, has pulled its endorsement of the congressman in the upcoming primary election amid allegations that he had an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.
Regina Santos-Aviles, an adviser to Gonzales, set herself on fire outside her home in Uvalde, Texas, and died of her injuries on September 14, 2025. The Bexar County Medical Examiner ruled the death a suicide, according to KENS, a local TV station. There is no suggestion the affair was connected to her death.
Gonzales, who has represented Texas's 23rd congressional district since 2021, allegedly had a romantic relationship with Santos-Aviles in 2024, according to text messages revealed Tuesday by the San Antonio Express-News. Gonzales denied the affair in a November appearance at the Texas Tribune Festival.
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After publishing these messages, the publication pulled its endorsement of Gonzales.
Newsweek has not independently reviewed the text messages and reached out to representatives for Gonzales by email to comment on this story outside of normal business hours.
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Why It Matters
The alleged affair may affect Gonzales' fate in the upcoming GOP primary. The news has led to prominent Texas Republicans calling on Gonzales to resign. His opponent, Brandon Herrera, came within 400 votes of beating him in the 2024 runoff election.
It could also cause bad optics for the broader GOP soon before it seeks to protect its slim congressional majorities in the midterm elections. The Republican Party has a 218-214 majority in the House.
Meanwhile, under the House Code of Official Conduct, relationships between members of Congress and their staff are prohibited. Breaching these rules could spark an investigation by the House Ethics Committee.
What To Know
Santos-Aviles worked for Gonzales, a married father of six, from November 2021, his first year in office, until her death.
According to the Express-News, Santos-Aviles' husband, Adrian Aviles, discovered text messages confirming the relationship, including one in which she acknowledged having an "affair with our boss."
The publication also revealed that an unnamed 24-year-old former staffer for Gonzales who revealed the texts, said he considered revealing what he knew about the affair in November, but feared losing his job. He reportedly resigned in January over the allegations.
Aviles told the publication that Gonzales "abused his power" through the alleged relationship with his wife.
The publication said another former staffer said Santos-Aviles became depressed after her husband found out about the alleged affair and Gonzales cut her off.
The publication said in an editorial: "In light of text messages confirming U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales had an affair with his district director, Regina Santos-Aviles, who died by suicide in September, we are withdrawing our recommendation in the Republican Party primary for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District.
"We will make no recommendation in the GOP primary for this race and will circle back in the general election. We stand by our Democratic primary recommendation."
It added: "The affair is troubling for many reasons. First, it is an act of deception. Gonzales is married and has six children. Second, Gonzales had an affair with a staffer. This was not an equal relationship. Third, while an attorney for Santos-Aviles’ husband has said he does not believe the affair played a role in the suicide by self-immolation at her home in Uvalde, it nevertheless looms over the tragedy."
What People Are Saying
Gonzales, addressed Santos-Aviles' death during an interview in November at the Texas Tribune Festival, according to San Antonio Express-News: "People throwing rocks at me, saying I'm doing nasty thing—I totally get that," Gonzales said. "But the rumors are completely untruthful."
Gonzales told CBS News Wednesday 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."
He said Santos-Aviles was a "kind soul who devoted her life to making the community a better place. Her efforts led to improvements in school safety, health care, and rural water like never before."
Aviles-Santos allegedly wrote on April 28, 2025: "I had [an] affair with our boss and I'm fine."
Brandon Herrera, Gonzales' GOP primary opponent, wrote on X: "This is completely unacceptable behavior for anyone, let alone a sitting member of Congress. Tony must step down."
Wes Virdell, a Texas Republican state representative, wrote on X: "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."
What Happens Next
Gonzales is running for a fourth term and the GOP primary takes place on March 3.
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In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not "both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
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