Months earlier than loss of life by suicide, aide texted colleague she had an affair along with her boss, Rep. Tony Gonzales

Regina Santos-Aviles, an aide to Rep. Tony Gonzales, wrote a textual content message to a colleague that she had an affair with the Republican congressman. Months later, Santos-Aviles, 35, died after allegedly setting herself on fireplace. 

“I had affair with our boss and I am wonderful,” Santos-Aviles mentioned within the textual content change, which was seen by CBS Information. 

The information was first reported by the San Antonio Categorical-Information. 

Santos-Aviles died on Sept. 14, 2025, after she was discovered critically burned the evening earlier than close to her house in Uvalde, in response to the Uvalde Police Division. The Bexar County Medical Examiner dominated the loss of life a suicide in November, in accordance CBS San Antonio affiliate KENS. 

In a press release on Wednesday, Gonzales wouldn’t touch upon the allegations, saying he wouldn’t “interact in these private smears and as a substitute stay targeted on serving to President Trump safe the border and enhance the lives of all Texans.” 

In a November look on a panel, the 45-year-old congressman denied the affair, saying “the rumors are utterly untruthful.” Gonzales is a married father of six, and Santos-Aviles was additionally married and had a son. 

Gonzales known as Santos-Aviles a “type soul who devoted her life to creating the group a greater place. Her efforts led to enhancements in class security, healthcare, and rural water like by no means earlier than.” He accused one in all his main opponents, Brandon Herrera, of “utilizing a disgruntled former staffer to smear her reminiscence and rating political factors.” 

Gonzales’ workplace additionally alleged that the ex-staffer who reported the texts has moved to Los Angeles to work for Democratic campaigns. The ex-staffer denied to the Categorical-Information that he was paid by any of Gonzales’ main opponents. 

Gonzales, who represents Uvalde and elements of San Antonio and the Texas-Mexico border, is at present working for his fourth time period. It is thought-about a protected Republican seat, and Gonzales received the final election with a 24–level margin, though the district boundaries have been modified since then. The main was a lot nearer — Herrera misplaced to Gonzales by simply 400 votes. He is difficult Gonzales once more this 12 months and on Tuesday known as on Gonzales to exit the race. Early voting began Tuesday within the March 3 main. 

“That is utterly unacceptable habits for anybody, let alongside a sitting member of Congress,” Herrera posted on social media. “Tony should step down.”

Republican state Rep. Wes Vidrell, who represents a part of Texas’ twenty third congressional district additionally known as on Gonzales to resign amid the rising scandal.

“If that is true, and it does seem credible, Tony ought to step down,”  Vidrell mentioned in a press release. “The household deserves to heal and get previous this horrible tragedy. That will probably be unimaginable to do in the event that they need to see the one that did it present no regret for the state of affairs and get re-elected to characterize them in Congress.”

One other former staffer informed the Categorical-Information concerning the alleged affair between Santos-Aviles and Gonzales. The previous staffer informed the newspaper that she spiraled into despair after her husband found the alleged affair and Gonzales minimize her off. 

The Categorical-Information on Tuesday evening pulled its endorsement of Gonzales within the race, and mentioned it could not make not make a suggestion within the race.