Rep. Tony Gonzales Says God Has Forgiven Him After Admitting to Affair With Aide Who Later Died

Shortly after the House Ethics Committee launched an investigation into Rep. Tony Gonzales, he admitted to having an affair with Regina Santos-Aviles, an aide who committed suicide.

“I made a mistake, and I had a lapse in judgment, and there was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions,” the Texas Republican, 45, said during an interview with Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo on Wednesday, March 4.

“Since then, I’ve reconciled with my wife, Angel,” he continued. “I’ve asked God to forgive me, which He has. And my faith is as strong as ever.”

The Congressman added that it “was never easy” when “mistakes like this” were made, and he said that the situation “humbled” him. Gonzales went on to say 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. She was thriving at work.”

Santos-Aviles died by setting herself on fire outside her home in Uvalde, Texas, in September 2025. On February 17, the San Antonio Express-News reported that a staffer revealed that Santos-Aviles had a sexual relationship with Gonzales in 2024.

The staffer claimed that Santos-Aviles said that after her husband discovered the affair, she fell into a depression.

In text messages obtained by People, Gonzales allegedly sent a message to Santos-Aviles on May 9, 2024, asking her to “send me a sexy pic.”

Santos-Aviles appeared to respond, “I just don’t like taking pictures of myself,” and he allegedly replied, “I’m such a visual person.”

Authorities have stated that no foul play is suspected in Santos-Aviles’ death, and Gonzales said that he had “absolutely nothing” to do with her passing, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

Despite some Republicans calling for Gonzales’ resignation, House Speaker Mike Johnson said that he will receive due process.

“As in every case like this, you have to allow the investigations to play out and all the facts to come out,” Johnson said last week, per NPR. “If the accusation of something is going to be the litmus test for someone being able to continue to serve in the House, you’ll have a lot of people who would have to resign or be removed or expelled from Congress.”