In a heart-wrenching turn of events that has rippled through the political landscape, Regina Santos-Aviles, a regional director for Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and a mother, admitted to having an affair with the congressman months before her tragic suicide in September 2025. The revelation came to light following a text message confession to a colleague, which has since been made public.
Santos-Aviles, who served in Texas' 23rd Congressional District, sent the text in the early morning of April 28, 2025, stating simply, “I had [an] affair with our boss and I’m fine,” as per the screenshot obtained by the New York Post. The 35-year-old was a wife and mother of one at the time of her death, which occurred in a shocking manner when she set herself on fire in the backyard of her home in Uvalde, Texas.
The San Antonio Express-News, which initially reported the text message, subsequently withdrew its endorsement of Gonzales, who is currently seeking re-election for a fourth term. The newspaper cited that the congressman "has questions to answer" in light of the recent developments.
The Daily Mail was the first to report the alleged affair between Gonzales and Santos-Aviles. However, Gonzales has vehemently denied these allegations. Speaking at the Texas Tribune Festival last November, he described the claims as "completely untruthful" and suggested they were politically motivated attacks.
The story has not only cast a shadow over Gonzales' political career but also raised questions about privacy and the handling of sensitive information. Santos-Aviles' mother has denied the affair allegations, while her husband's attorney, Javier Guerra, has expressed concern about his late wife’s private records being released publicly.
In a move that has added to the controversy, the Texas Attorney General's office, led by Ken Paxton, has sealed 911 calls, police reports, and other video footage related to Santos-Aviles’ death, in response to media records requests. This action has only intensified the debate surrounding the case and the transparency of public figures.
As the story continues to unfold, the political and personal implications of Santos-Aviles' tragic end are still being untangled, leaving many questions unanswered and a community in mourning.
