A Texas border-district congressman is facing a brutal primary test after reporting revealed a subordinate’s text admitting an affair, months before her death was ruled a suicide.
Story Snapshot
- Reporting cites a text from Rep. Tony Gonzales’ aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, saying she “had an affair with our boss,” followed months later by her death being ruled a suicide.
- Accounts from former staffers describe a workplace fallout after the relationship became known, including Santos-Aviles being sidelined professionally.
- Gonzales has denied the affair publicly and says he won’t engage in “personal smears,” while stressing border priorities under President Trump.
- Primary challenger Brandon Herrera and Texas state Rep. Wes Vidrell have called for Gonzales to step aside as early voting began for the March 3, 2026, primary.
What the Reporting Says Happened—and What’s Verified
Regina Santos-Aviles, 35, served as a regional director for Rep. Tony Gonzales in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, which includes Uvalde and stretches to the border. Reported text messages show Santos-Aviles told a colleague on April 28, 2025, that she had an affair with “our boss.”
Multiple outlets report she later died after setting herself on fire near her home, and the Bexar County Medical Examiner ruled the death a suicide in November 2025.
Months before death by suicide, aide texted colleague she had an affair with her boss, Rep. Tony Gonzaleshttps://t.co/EINAq0sysQ
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) February 18, 2026
A key limitation in public discussion is the difference between what is documented versus what is inferred. The text message attributed to Santos-Aviles is direct evidence that she said an affair occurred. The medical examiner’s ruling is an official finding on cause of death.
What is not proven in the available reporting is a definitive causal link between the relationship, workplace consequences, and her death; sources describe a timeline and concerns, but a timeline alone does not establish legal responsibility.
Power, Workplace Boundaries, and Why Voters Care
The reported relationship was between an elected official and a subordinate, a dynamic that raises ethical concerns even when no criminal conduct is alleged.
Former staffers told reporters that the affair was known among staff during the 2024 election cycle, and that after the relationship came to light, Santos-Aviles was marginalized at work—described as going from “the number one employee” to “nothing,” including meetings being canceled and her being excluded from Uvalde visits.
Another former staffer said concerns about her mental well-being were raised internally in June 2025.
For conservative voters, the immediate political question is fitness for office and judgment under pressure. Texas-23 sits on the front lines of border enforcement and public safety, and Gonzales has argued he wants to stay focused on helping President Trump secure the border and improve Texans’ lives.
But primaries are where Republicans enforce standards. When alleged misconduct involves an imbalance of power inside a congressional office, it becomes less about gossip and more about whether a representative can credibly demand accountability from federal agencies.
Gonzales’ Denial, Opponents’ Attacks, and the Primary Calendar
Gonzales has publicly denied the affair allegations, including remarks at a panel where he called rumors “completely untruthful.” When asked again as the story gained traction, he declined to address details and said he would not engage in “personal smears.”
His office also pushed back on the motives of at least one ex-staffer source, alleging the person relocated to Los Angeles to work Democratic campaigns; the ex-staffer denied being paid by any of Gonzales’ primary opponents, according to reporting.
Brandon Herrera, Gonzales’ primary opponent, used the reporting to demand Gonzales exit from the race, calling the alleged conduct unacceptable for a sitting member of Congress.
Texas state Rep. Wes Vidrell also urged Gonzales to step down if the allegations are true and credible, arguing the family deserves to heal and that continued service would prolong the public ordeal. Early voting for the March 3, 2026, primary began Feb. 18, 2026, with Gonzales defending a seat considered safely Republican but politically sensitive.
Media Fallout and What Still Isn’t Fully Known
The San Antonio Express-News withdrew its endorsement of Gonzales, saying he has questions to answer and announcing it would not recommend a candidate in the primary.
That move matters in a down-ballot fight where name recognition and local credibility carry weight. Gonzales previously won by a wide margin in the general election, but reporting notes that boundaries have changed and that the last primary was close, with Herrera narrowly losing by a few hundred votes.
What remains unclear from the available sources is whether any formal congressional ethics investigation is underway or whether additional documentary evidence beyond the cited texts will be released publicly.
The tragedy at the center of the story involves a loss of life and a grieving family, and responsible reporting needs to separate confirmed documents, official findings, and on-the-record statements from assumptions. Voters can still demand accountability while insisting on evidence-based conclusions—especially in a race framed around restoring seriousness and integrity to public service.
Sources:
Tony Gonzales aide affair texts death by suicide
Texts Show Aide Admitted to Affair With Lawmaker Prior to Death by Suicide
Tony Gonzales staffer fire affair text Brandon Herrera
