Reports Link Rep. Tony Gonzales to Affair with Staffer Prior to Her Suicide

2026-02-19 politics

San Antonio, Thursday, 19 February 2026.
Recovered text messages reportedly confirm Rep. Tony Gonzales had an affair with a staffer prior to her suicide, triggering resignation calls and the withdrawal of a key newspaper endorsement.

Emerging Evidence and Immediate Fallout

New allegations surfaced this week suggesting that U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) engaged in an extramarital affair with a staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, months before her death by suicide [1][2]. On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the San Antonio Express-News reported on a recovered text message sent by Santos-Aviles to a colleague in April 2025, in which she allegedly wrote, “I had affair with our boss and I’m fine” [1][3][4]. The revelation has disrupted the Republican primary for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, leading the Express-News to rescind its endorsement of the incumbent congressman on the evening of February 17, just as early voting commenced [1][7].

Timeline of the Alleged Relationship

According to reports, the relationship allegedly began after Santos-Aviles joined the congressman’s office in 2021, though the affair reportedly came to light among staff and family in June 2024 [2]. An attorney representing Santos-Aviles’ husband stated that the couple separated in the summer of 2025 after her husband discovered the affair [2]. A former staffer, who has since resigned, claimed to have warned Gonzales’ district director, Jalen Falcon, about Santos-Aviles’ deteriorating mental health in June 2025, several months before she was found critically burned outside her Uvalde home on September 13, 2025 [3][4]. She died the following day, and the Bexar County Medical Examiner ruled the death a suicide by self-immolation in November 2025 [1][8].

Political Repercussions and Ethics Concerns

The release of the text messages has intensified pressure on Gonzales, who is seeking a fourth term in office [1][4]. Brandon Herrera, a Republican primary challenger who lost to Gonzales by only 400 votes in the previous election cycle, has called for the congressman’s immediate resignation [1][5]. Herrera described the alleged conduct as “completely unacceptable” and argued that Gonzales broke trust with the public by previously denying the rumors as “completely untruthful” in November 2025 [1][6]. In response, Gonzales declined to comment on the specific allegations on Wednesday, February 18, but previously characterized the claims as politically motivated smears designed to “score political points” [1][2].

Strategic Implications for the GOP

The controversy poses a potential risk to the Republican party’s razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives. Currently, Republicans hold 218 seats compared to the Democrats’ 214, meaning the GOP controls approximately 50.463 percent of the filled seats [5][6]. A resignation or loss of the seat would further tighten this margin, complicating the party’s ability to pass legislation [5]. despite the scandal, Gonzales retains the endorsement of former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson [5]. The impact of these revelations will be tested when the primary concludes on March 3, 2026 [1][4].

Sources

US Congress Political Scandal