Republican Representative Tony Gonzales, recently moved to a runoff position in the primary election of his Texas district, conceded on Wednesday, March 4, that he engaged in an extramarital affair with a staff member who later fatally set herself ablaze.
"I made a mistake, and I had a lapse in judgment," Gonzales stated in an interview on "The Joe Pags Show," one day after Tuesday’s Republican primary election.
He further admitted, "There was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions."
Gonzales noted that he has since "reconciled" with his spouse following the affair with his former aide, a married mother named Regina Santos-Aviles, which occurred in May 2024.
"I’ve asked God to forgive me, which he has," he expressed.
"Making mistakes like this isn’t easy; it humbles you,” he added.
The House Ethics Committee is currently looking into allegations that Gonzales "engaged in sexual misconduct" with a staff member and "unfairly discriminated" by offering special privileges.
Recently leaked text messages between Gonzales and Santos-Aviles showed his request for a "sexy pic" from the aide.
Furthermore, messages exchanged between Santos-Aviles and a former coworker revealed discussions about their relationship.
Santos-Aviles, 35, tragically set herself on fire in her Uvalde home on September 13, 2025, and succumbed to her injuries the following day.
Her husband, Adrian Aviles, accused Gonzales of "abusing his power" by entering into the affair with his subordinate.
Aviles has urged that Gonzales, a married father of six, be made accountable for the relationship.
Several of Gonzales's fellow Republican colleagues have also called for his resignation in light of this scandal.
"There’s a whole lot more to the story, a lot more to the story that isn’t out there,” Gonzales remarked on "The Joe Pags Show."
He claimed, "Some reports suggest that [Santos-Aviles] was not thriving at work; it’s the exact opposite. She was thriving at work."
Gonzales firmly denied any responsibility for Santos-Aviles's death.
"I hadn’t spoken with Miss Santos since June of 2024. She died in September 2025… I had absolutely nothing to do with her tragic passing. I was as shocked as everyone else," Gonzales stated.
Gonzales, aged 45, is set to face fellow Republican Brandon Herrera in a runoff on May 26 after failing to secure a majority of votes in Texas's 23rd District in the Tuesday elections.
Herrera, who nearly defeated Gonzales in the 2024 GOP primary, garnered almost 1,000 more votes than the incumbent on Tuesday night.
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