The Texas representative faced a storm of allegations during a heated primary season. As controversy and accusations grow, the Republican, who vowed to remain in the race for his congressional seat, has been forced to make a tough decision.
In 2024, as campaign signs dotted dusty Texas highways and political pressure mounted by the day, United States Representative Tony Gonzales fought hard to retain his political seat.
Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, makes his way to House votes in the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Locked in a bruising primary battle to keep his congressional seat, the Republican lawmaker appeared focused on votes, rallies, and strategy. But behind the scenes — in the quiet hours just after midnight — a different drama was unfolding.
Shortly after 12 a.m. on May 9, Tony began exchanging late‑night text messages with a staff member, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, the director of his regional district office in Uvalde. And what began as a conversation quickly veered into territory that would later ignite a political firestorm.
The Late-Night Messages That Sparked a Political Scandal
According to messages obtained by the San Antonio Express-News, the congressman asked Regina to send him a “sexy pic.” She replied that she had experienced a difficult week and suggested that he likely would not want such a photo. Tony, however, pressed forward.
He responded that he did want the picture — and urged her to hurry. Regina declined again, explaining she did not like taking pictures of herself. But the exchange did not end there. Tony continued messaging her, explaining that he was “a visual person.”
The conversation soon shifted into sexual territory. At two different points in the discussion, Regina told him, “This is going too far boss.” Despite those warnings, the messages show the pair discussing plans to meet just two days later while Tony was campaigning in the Uvalde area.
The texts suggested that the married congressman — a father of six — was pursuing a romantic relationship with Regina. Under U.S. House ethics rules, lawmakers are prohibited from engaging in sexual relationships with staff members.
A Devastating Tragedy Months Later
What began as a political controversy would eventually take a heartbreaking and deeply disturbing turn. Regina, 35, died in September 2025 after setting herself on fire in the backyard of her home in Uvalde.
An autopsy report obtained by the San Antonio Express-News found she had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.094 grams per deciliter at the time of the incident. After the horrifying events of September 13, she was rushed to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where doctors fought to save her. She died the following morning.
As the allegations surrounding the texts began drawing national attention, House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged the controversy could cast a shadow over Tony’s looming primary election.
“There’s a primary there in less than a week,” Mile told reporters. He added that the congressman needed to confront the allegations head-on as voters prepared to head to the polls.
A Husband Breaks His Silence
For months after Regina’s death, her grieving husband said nothing publicly. But more than five months later, Adrian Aviles decided it was time to speak. In an interview with the San Antonio Express-News, he said the situation represented a disturbing abuse of authority.
“I said the truth would come to light when it’s time, and the time is now,” Aviles said during a Zoom interview from his attorney’s office in San Antonio. He accused Tony of abusing his power by pursuing a romantic relationship with a staff member who worked in his district office.
