Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-Texas), chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, participates in the group’s press conference at the Capitol on March 25, 2025.
Bill Clark | Cq-roll Call Inc. | Getty Images
Rep. Tony Gonzalez acknowledged for the first time Wednesday that he had an affair with a staffer who died by suicide in September.
“I made a mistake, I had poor judgment, I lacked faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions,” the Texas Republican said in an appearance on the conservative talk show “The Joe Pags Show.” “Since then, I have reconciled with my wife Angel. I asked God for forgiveness and He granted it, and my faith is as strong as ever.”
His office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Mr. Gonzalez admitted to the affair on the same day that the House Ethics Committee announced it had opened an investigation into Mr. Gonzalez’s conduct. The committee announced it would investigate whether Gonzalez “committed sexual misconduct toward individuals employed in his congressional office” or “unfairly discriminated against by providing special accommodations or privileges.”
Before Wednesday, Gonzalez had denied having an affair with Regina Santos-Avilés, a former aide who died by self-immolation last year. Several Republican lawmakers have called for Gonzalez to resign, but Gonzalez has indicated he intends to remain in office.
He said during a radio appearance that he had not spoken to Santos-Avilés since June 2024, more than a year before her death.
“I had nothing to do with her tragic death. In fact, I was just as shocked as everyone else,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez’s statements about the incident and the announcement of the investigation came the day after the Texas primary election. Gonzalez, who is running for re-election, will face a runoff in May. He will face Brandon Herrera, who will challenge Gonzalez from the right.
Democrat Katie Padilla Stout, who is running for Gonzalez’s seat, won the party’s primary Tuesday by a landslide, advancing to the general election in November. This area is located in southwestern Texas, along the border with Mexico. Voters there definitely vote Republican.
Gonzalez said Wednesday that he is in “one of the most difficult districts in the country,” which Cook Political Report ranks as a “solid R.”
“I’m the only one who can hold it. Not only can I win the primary, I can hold it at large,” Gonzalez said. “So if we start losing districts like mine, we’re definitely going to lose the House of Representatives, and then what we’re going to see is Democrats trying to impeach President Trump every move they make.”
Pressure has been mounting on Gonzalez in recent weeks as more details began to emerge about her relationship with Santos Aviles, who was married at the time of her death.
In February, NBC News reported on documents obtained between Mr. Santos Aviles and Mr. Gonzalez, in which the congressmen allegedly messaged his then-Aviles staffer to “send me sexy pictures.” Adrian Aviles, Santos Aviles’ widow, called Gonzalez a “predator” in an interview with CNN weeks before the primary.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), who is running against a razor-thin House majority, called the allegations against Gonzalez “very serious,” but insisted he was entitled to due process.
