Representative Tony Gonzales has admitted to having an affair with a staffer who died by suicide last year as the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into the Texas Republican.
Gonzales has come clean after months of being accused of having an inappropriate relationship with Regina Santos-Aviles, a 35-year-old wife and mother who worked in his Uvalde office.
“I made a mistake and I had a lapse in judgement and there was a lack of faith and I take full responsibility for those actions,” the congressman told conservative talk show host Joe Pagliarulo in a bombshell interview released Wednesday.
Gonzales has six children with his wife, Angel. He told Pagliarulo that he had reconciled with Angel after the affair and had “asked God to forgive me, which he has,” adding that his “faith is as strong as ever.”
Santos-Aviles died in September 2025in the backyard of her Uvalde home. Gonzales told Pagliarulo he had “absolutely nothing to do” with the former staffer’s death.
The House Ethics Committee announced Wednesday that it was opening a probe to determine whether Gonzales violated any rules in connection with allegations that he may have engaged in sexual misconduct toward an employee in his office and discriminated unfairly by giving special favors.
When Pagliarulo asked whether Gonzales understood the power dynamic between a boss and a subordinate, the congressman said, “It’s a serious issue that we have to talk about.”
“I take responsibility for my actions,” Gonzales said. “It’s also important to know all the details and all the facts.”
Gonzales faced increased scrutiny about the affair earlier this month, when the San Antonio Express-News revealed text messages the congressman supposedly sent to Santos-Aviles in May 2024, including one that reportedly read, “Send me a sexy pic.”
Bobby Barrera, an attorney for Santos-Aviles’ widow, Adrian Aviles, told local outlet KSAT in an interview released earlier this month that Adrian knew about the affair and it was the reason he and his wife separated. The Independent has reached out to Barrera for comment.
Despite calls to resign, Gonzales is seeking reelection. He was forced into a primary runoff with gun rights activist Brandon Herrera after failing to secure 50 percent of the vote.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, reach out to the national suicide and crisis lifeline at 988.
