Who is Tony Gonzales? The Truth Behind the Alleged Affair With Regina Santos-Aviles
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| Tony Gonzales Alleged Affair With Regina Santos-Aviles |
U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales, a Republican lawmaker from Texas’s 23rd Congressional District, is at the center of a political and personal controversy after allegations that he had a romantic affair with a senior staff member who later died in a tragic incident. Recent reporting has brought new details into the public eye, including text messages and public statements from the woman’s husband.
This article provides a comprehensive, up-to-date look at who Gonzales is, what the allegations involve, and what has been publicly confirmed so far.
Who Is Tony Gonzales?
Born on October 10, 1980, Tony Gonzales is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving Texas’s 23rd District since 2021. He is a Navy veteran, having served more than two decades as a cryptologic technician before entering politics. Gonzales holds leadership roles in Congress and has focused on border security, infrastructure, and veterans’ issues throughout his career.
Gonzales is married to Angel Gonzales, and together they have six children. He is also known for his conservative policy stances and has received high-profile endorsements from influential Republican figures.
The Allegation: What Happened With Regina Santos-Aviles?
In 2026, a series of news reports brought renewed attention to allegations that Tony Gonzales had a romantic relationship with Regina Ann “Regi” Santos-Aviles, who served as his regional district director based in Uvalde, Texas. Santos-Aviles, 35, died after setting herself on fire outside her home in September 2025 — an act authorities later ruled a suicide.
Unlike earlier reports that referenced rumors, new evidence has emerged showing that Santos-Aviles admitted to the relationship in text messages with a colleague. In one message from April 2025, she wrote to a coworker: “I had affair with our boss and I’m fine.” This message was reviewed by news outlets and shared by a former staffer.
According to the same ex-staff member, the civil relationship was known within the congressional office during the 2024 election cycle, and Gonzales and Santos-Aviles were observed together at campaign events on multiple occasions.
Husband’s Public Statement and Reaction
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| Adrian, with wife Regina Santos-Aviles, said that Rep. Tony Gonzales “abused his power |
In February 2026, Adrian Aviles, the husband of Regina Santos-Aviles, spoke publicly for the first time about his late wife’s relationship and its aftermath. Aviles stated that he discovered explicit messages between his wife and the congressman in May 2024, prompting him to confront both his wife and Gonzales’s team. He described the affair as having significantly affected his wife’s emotional health.
Aviles also claimed that after the affair became known, Santos-Aviles was professionally sidelined and excluded from daily operations, deepening her distress. He described an instance where she threatened suicide — a warning he believes should have prompted intervention.
In his statement, Aviles accused Gonzales of “abusing his power” and criticized the lawmaker’s initial denials of the affair. He said he is speaking out partly to ensure that his son understands what happened to his mother and to keep her memory honest in the public record.
Congressman’s Response and Political Fallout
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| Santos-Aviles wrote to a colleague |
Despite mounting evidence, Tony Gonzales has denied having a romantic relationship with Santos-Aviles. In multiple public comments, he has described the allegations as rumors and political attacks during a contentious primary election year.
Gonzales has emphasized his policy work, including border security and community investment, rather than addressing personal questions directly.
The controversy has triggered calls from political opponents and commentators for Gonzales to address the situation more directly, especially given the House ethics rules that bar lawmakers from engaging in relationships with staff. One Republican primary opponent has called for Gonzales’s resignation, citing those standards.
Meanwhile, a prominent local newspaper rescinded its endorsement of Gonzales, stating editorially that the text messages and lack of full transparency raised serious concerns about his character and leadership.
Text Messages and ReportsContemporary reporting from major outlets including CBS News and the San Antonio Express-News highlighted that in 2024, Santos-Aviles allegedly sent a text message to a colleague stating she had had “an affair with our boss.” Her husband and former colleagues later described finding explicit text messages and reported that her professional role shifted after the relationship became known. Some accounts suggest she was excluded from meetings and duties afterward. |
Public Debate, Ethics and Mental Health Awareness
The events involving Santos-Aviles’s death have ignited broader conversations about power dynamics in political offices, employee mental health, and the responsibilities of elected officials when personal and professional lives intersect. While the affair allegations have not resulted in formal ethics investigations, they have significantly shaped discussion surrounding Gonzales’s political future.
Both Gonzales and the late Santos-Aviles’s contributions to their communities continue to be part of the public dialogue — though now through a lens that includes accountability, ethics, and emotional well-being.
Conclusion
As of February 2026, the most credible public evidence of a romantic relationship between Tony Gonzales and Regina Santos-Aviles comes from text messages and firsthand accounts, supplemented by statements from Santos-Aviles’s husband.
Gonzales continues to deny any affair, while critics argue the circumstances merit deeper scrutiny. What is clear from the records is a tragic intersection of politics, personal relationships, and mental health, with wide public and political ramifications.
