Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) emerged from weeks of silence Thursday to firmly deny allegations of an affair with his congressional aide, who died by suicide in September after setting herself on fire at her Texas home.
The Texas Republican, who represents the state’s 23rd Congressional District covering the southwest region, addressed the rumors publicly for the first time during an appearance at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin.
Gonzales called the claims linking him romantically to 35-year-old Regina Santos-Aviles “completely untruthful.”.
The married father of six maintained his innocence while acknowledging the political firestorm surrounding the tragedy. He told attendees that in politics, having thick skin is necessary when facing public scrutiny and criticism.
Gonzales explained that Regina’s family requested privacy during this difficult time. His press office had previously declined to address allegations that appeared in an October Daily Mail report, issuing only a brief statement about Santos-Aviles being “a kind soul who had a lasting impact on her community.”
Santos-Aviles served as Regional Director in Gonzales’ office beginning in November 2021. Her position gave her significant responsibilities within the congressman’s district operations.
The Bexar County Medical Examiner ruled Santos-Aviles’s death a suicide this week, according to the San Antonio Current. Gonzales stated he waited for officials to complete their investigation and rule out criminal conduct before making public comments about the tragedy.
The congressman expressed uncertainty about the circumstances surrounding her death. He told the audience he has not been contacted by investigators, nor has he reached out to them independently.
Gonzales voiced distrust of media outlets covering the story. He said he is waiting for the final official report before making further statements.
The tragic incident occurred on Sept. 13 at Santos-Aviles’s home in Uvalde, Texas.
Santos-Aviles doused herself in gasoline before igniting in flames in her backyard, according to reports.
Her mother, Nora Gonzales, discovered her daughter severely burned and pleading for water. Emergency responders arrived to find burning gasoline cans at the scene, which they extinguished.
Santos-Aviles was transported to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where she died the following day from her injuries. Her final words were, “I don’t want to die,” according to the San Antonio Express News.
Nora Gonzales recounted that her daughter called her in a distraught state shortly before the incident. Santos-Aviles told her mother she wanted to see her 8-year-old son during that phone call.
The family of the 35-year-old mother firmly rejected the Daily Mail report alleging Santos-Aviles had separated from her husband and engaged in an affair with the congressman. Family members labeled these claims as “completely false.”
Nora Gonzales told the New York Post she does not believe the allegations have any merit. The grieving mother remains uncertain about what drove her daughter to take such drastic action.
The congressman referenced the political nature of the attacks against him during his Thursday appearance. He noted that as an elected official, his name is on the door, making him a target for criticism and accusations.
