Gonzales Denies Allegations Involving Deceased Aide Amid Primary

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Republican from San Antonio, is facing political newcomer Brandon Herrera in the GOP primary runoff election May 28. Gonzales, who has drawn the ire of hard-line conservatives, is seeking a third term in office.

Allegations involving Gonzales surfaced this week after reporting by the San Antonio Express-News detailed claims about an alleged past relationship with a former district staffer who died in 2025. Gonzales has denied the allegations. Authorities previously ruled the former aide’s death a suicide.

A former employee in Gonzales’ district office told the Express-News that Regina “Regi” Santos-Aviles said in 2024 that she had an affair with the congressman. The former staffer shared what he said was a screenshot of a text message from her referencing the relationship. The Express-News reported it verified the message came from her phone number. Gonzales has denied the allegation.

Gonzales, who represents Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, has rejected rumors of a relationship and urged people to remember Santos-Aviles for her work in the community. He did not directly respond to detailed questions from the Express-News. On Thursday, Gonzales said he was being “blackmailed” and posted what he described as an email from an attorney representing Santos-Aviles’ husband. The message referenced a potential legal claim and possible settlement tied to workplace protections for congressional staff. The husband and his attorney denied attempting to extort the congressman, saying they sought accountability and did not want the matter to become public.

Police said surveillance footage showed Santos-Aviles was alone when the fire began outside her Uvalde home. The Bexar County Medical Examiner ruled her death a suicide. Officials have said there was no evidence of foul play. The former Gonzales employee told the Express-News that he alerted the congressman’s district director in June 2025 about concerns over Santos-Aviles’ mental health. He said he observed changes in her behavior and attendance and had taken on much of her workload in the months before her death. He also expressed frustration that investigators did not contact him during the police inquiry.

An attorney for Santos-Aviles’ husband told the Express-News that while the alleged relationship was widely known among staff, he does not believe it played a role in her death. The couple had been separated for a period before her passing and shared parenting responsibilities for their young son. Her husband delivered a eulogy describing her as a devoted mother and partner.

The report surfaced as Gonzales faces a competitive Republican primary ahead of the March 3 election. Some political opponents and conservative activists have called on Gonzales to resign if the claims are proven true, arguing such a relationship could violate ethical standards governing workplace conduct in Congress. Gonzales has accused critics of politicizing a personal tragedy. He continues to have support from prominent Republican leaders, including former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson.