MAGA Congressman Hit with Affair Bombshell

Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales is facing the most serious political crisis of his career—and it’s unfolding just as voters head to the polls.

The three-term congressman, a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, is battling renewed scrutiny over allegations that he had an affair with a former staffer who later died by suicide.

For months, Gonzales tried to outrun the story. Now it’s front and center.

Early voting has begun in Texas. And a new report from the San Antonio Express-News has reignited questions about Gonzales’ alleged relationship with his former regional district director, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles.

Santos-Aviles, 35, died in September after setting herself on fire outside her home in Uvalde, according to the local medical examiner. She left behind an eight-year-old son.

The Express-News report cites individuals familiar with Gonzales’ office who claim the alleged affair was widely known internally.

“It’s common knowledge,” attorney Bobby Barrera, who represents Santos-Aviles’ husband, told the paper. “The staff was clearly aware this event was occurring.”

A former Gonzales staffer also told reporters that Santos-Aviles once texted him, “I had an affair with our boss.”

Gonzales has denied the claims.

When the allegations first surfaced last fall, Gonzales did not immediately address Santos-Aviles’ death publicly. According to KSAT, the station sought comment more than 15 times. It received no response.

At one event, local media outlets were reportedly uninvited.

Then came a tense exchange at a Veterans Day ceremony in San Antonio.

When asked on camera about the alleged affair, Gonzales cut off the reporter.

“It’s Veterans Day,” he said while walking away. “Are you talking about veterans’ stuff? If you’re not, you should be talking about veterans’ stuff.”

The reporter responded, “Veterans fought for my right to ask you questions.”

Gonzales refused to engage and exited the frame.

Days later, at a forum hosted by the Texas Tribune, he addressed the rumors directly.

“They are completely untruthful,” Gonzales said. He also described himself as “genuinely untrusting” of media outlets covering the story.

The controversy is spilling into the campaign.

Gonzales represents Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, a sprawling, majority-Hispanic border region stretching from San Antonio to El Paso. It is one of the most competitive Republican-held seats in the state.

His GOP challenger, Brandon Herrera, has called on him to resign.

The Express-News editorial board has withdrawn its endorsement, citing what it described as a “disturbing lack of character.” Jonathan Saenz, president of the conservative group Texas Values, said Gonzales should step down “immediately” if the allegations are true.

Still, Gonzales retains powerful backing.

President Trump reaffirmed his support this week, writing on Truth Social that Gonzales has his “Complete and Total Endorsement” and “WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”

Gonzales has dismissed the renewed reporting as politically motivated. In a statement to the New York Post, he said he would “not engage in these personal smears” and would instead focus on border security and improving Texans’ lives.

A spokesperson previously described those pushing the allegations as “political bottom feeders.”

What began as rumor inside a congressional office has now become a defining issue in a high-stakes election.

Gonzales is a married father of six who often emphasizes his Catholic faith and family values on the campaign trail. Democrats are aggressively targeting the district, hoping internal Republican divisions and negative headlines will weaken the incumbent.

The question now is whether voters will focus on policy—or character.

With early voting underway, Texas Republicans must decide whether Gonzales’ denials are enough—or whether the unanswered questions will follow him all the way to November.