Rep. Tony Gonzales Decides ‘Not to Seek Re-Election’ After Admitting to Affair With Aide Who Later Died

Rep. Tony Gonzales — who recently admitted to having an affair with Regina Santos-Aviles, an aide who died by suicide — will not seek re-election.

In a statement posted Thursday, March 5, on his X (formerly Twitter) account, the 45-year-old Republican politician said that he has ended his re-election campaign.

“At 18, I swore an oath to defend our nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic. During my 20 years in the military and three terms in Congress, I have fought for that cause with absolute dedication to the country that I love,” Gonzales wrote.

“From overcoming the border crisis to taking a stand with my communities after the worst school shooting in Texas’ history, my philosophy has never changed: do as much as you can, and always fight for the greater good,” he continued.

“After deep reflection and with the support of my loving family, I have decided not to seek re-election while serving out the rest of this Congress with the same commitment I’ve always had to my district,” the father of six concluded. “Through the rest of my term, I will continue fighting for my constituents, for whom I am eternally grateful.”

After the House Ethics Committee launched an investigation into Gonzales, he admitted Wednesday in an interview with Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo that he made “a mistake” regarding the affair.

Santos-Aviles’ tragic manner of death in September 2025 has recently made headlines, and in February, the San Antonio Express-News reported that she had a sexual relationship with Gonzales in 2024.

A former staffer claimed to the newspaper that Santos-Aviles said she fell into a depression after her husband discovered the affair. Gonzales, who has said that he had “absolutely nothing” to do with her death, has come under fire in recent days due to his behavior.

“I had a lapse in judgment, and there was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions,” he told Pagliarulo on Wednesday. “Since then, I’ve reconciled with my wife, Angel. I’ve asked God to forgive me, which He has. And my faith is as strong as ever.”

The Congressman added that it’s “never easy” when “mistakes like this” are made, and he said that the situation has “humbled” him. Gonzales added that Santos-Aviles’ death was “a shock to everyone.”

“Some of the reports are saying that she was not thriving at work,” he explained. “It’s [the] exact opposite.”