Revealed Texts Show Rep. Tony Gonzales Pursued Explicit Relationship with Aide Regina Santos-Aviles Before Her Tragic Suicide
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Newly surfaced text messages appear to confirm that U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) engaged in an inappropriate relationship with his former district director, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who died by suicide in September 2025 after setting herself on fire.
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The explicit exchanges, shared by Santos-Aviles’ widower Adrian Aviles, have ignited bipartisan calls for a congressional ethics investigation and renewed scrutiny of Gonzales’ conduct amid his re-election bid. The messages, dated May 2024, show Gonzales repeatedly requesting “sexy pics” from the 35-year-old aide, who initially resisted before the conversation escalated to plans for an in-person meeting at a cabin.
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Explicit Texts Surface Amid Affair Allegations
In one exchange obtained by The Texas Tribune and the San Antonio Express-News, Gonzales messaged Santos-Aviles late at night: “Then send me a sexy pic.” She replied, “This is going too far boss,” but he persisted, leading to arrangements for a private rendezvous two days later. The pair spent several hours alone at a cabin owned by a former staffer’s family, according to reports.
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Santos-Aviles, who served as Gonzales’ district director in Uvalde, later expressed concern in texts: “Please tell me you didn’t just hire me because I was hot.” Gonzales responded, “No way.” Just weeks later, Aviles discovered the affair and sent a group text from his wife’s phone to Gonzales and seven staffers, declaring: “She’s been having an affair on me with your boss Tony Gonzales for some time now.” Several current staffers were among the recipients.
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Tragic Death and Conflicting Accounts
On September 14, 2025, Santos-Aviles doused herself with gasoline and set herself ablaze in her Uvalde backyard. Responding officers found her conscious on the front porch, where she claimed she acted after learning her estranged husband was involved with her best friend. The Bexar County Medical Examiner ruled the death a suicide. A police report notes the couple’s estrangement stemmed from “Regina’s supposed affair,” though Aviles attributes her despair to professional ostracization following the exposure of her relationship with Gonzales.
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Aviles’ attorney, Bobby Barrera, told CBS News that Santos-Aviles’ mental health plummeted after the affair ended, blaming Gonzales’ actions. “Her professional life was ruined,” Barrera said, adding that congressional investigators are preparing a report for the House Ethics Committee, potentially as soon as next week.[3][2]
Gonzales’ Response and Political Fallout
Gonzales, a married father of six, has previously denied the affair, labeling the allegations extortion. His campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the latest texts. The congressman has called for the full release of the Uvalde police report, which city officials provided to media outlets despite family objections.[1][5]
The scandal violates House ethics rules prohibiting sexual relationships between members and staff. It erupted just before early voting in the March 3 primary, fueling demands for Gonzales’ resignation from figures like Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.). Rumors linked the aide’s death to the affair, amplified by a pre-primary Express-News report of Santos-Aviles admitting the relationship to a former colleague.
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Salary Boost and Office Dynamics
Records reveal Santos-Aviles’ salary jumped $14,000 in 2024—the year the alleged affair began—from prior levels, reaching six figures by 2025. Her widower claims Gonzales pressured her into the relationship, contributing to her isolation after discovery. Gonzales’ office reportedly halted her duties post-exposure, exacerbating her distress.
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Uvalde Police Chief Leonard Guerra confirmed the medical examiner’s suicide ruling in newly released records. Video from News 4 WOAI captures officers’ accounts of Santos-Aviles’ final words, underscoring the horror of her final moments.[4][7]
Ethics Probe Looms as Primary Nears
With voting underway, the revelations have galvanized opponents. Aviles has not shared texts with investigators but plans to cooperate. Gonzales faces a tough re-election in Texas’ 23rd District, where his support for bipartisan gun legislation post-Uvalde shooting already drew conservative ire.
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The House Ethics Committee could launch a formal inquiry, potentially complicating Gonzales’ political future. As details emerge, questions persist about workplace power dynamics in Congress and accountability for members entangled in personal scandals.
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This story is developing. Updates will follow as congressional investigators review the evidence.