GOP aide who died by lighting herself on fire alleged affair with House Republican: report

A Republican House staffer who died after setting herself on fire last year claimed in text messages to have had an affair with Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX).

According to The San Antonio Express-News, "A former staffer in Gonzales' district office who worked closely with the aide, Regina Ann 'Regi' Santos-Aviles, said she told him they had an affair in 2024, and that she spiraled into a depression after her husband discovered the relationship and Gonzales abruptly cut her off. He also shared with the San Antonio Express-News a screenshot of a text message from Santos-Aviles in which she acknowledged having an 'affair with our boss.'"

Gonzales is a married father of six.

"A lawyer for Santos-Aviles' husband said her romantic relationship with the congressman was an open secret, and that he does not believe it played a role in her death," said the report. However, "The staffer, who asked not to be named, citing a fear of retaliation, faulted Gonzales' office for failing to intervene, saying he warned the congressman's district director months before Santos-Aviles' death that he was concerned about her well-being. He described her as his 'best friend' and said their families knew each other."

Gonzales, who represents a sprawling district that covers most of the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas as well as the southwestern suburbs of San Antonio, is currently locked in a tough primary race with gun rights activist Brandon Herrera, who also fielded a close challenge for this seat in 2024.

In December, Gonzales got a boost when President Donald Trump endorsed his campaign for re-election.