Scandal-ridden U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales drops reelection bid after admitting to affair with staffer
SAN ANTONIO – One day after admitting he had an affair with his staffer, who died by suicide, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales is dropping his bid for reelection.
Earlier this month, House Republicans urged Gonzales to drop out of the race after the House Ethics Committee announced it would investigate Gonzales for the affair with his Uvalde-based staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles.
In a social media post, Gonzales said he will serve the rest of his term in Congress.
“Through the rest of my term, I will continue fighting for my constituents, Gonzales said, ”for whom I am eternally grateful.”
Santos-Aviles’ husband’s attorney said that the healing process can now begin, in a statement to KSAT.
“I’m happy the truth has come out, and he’s acknowledged and taken full responsibility for his errors in judgment,” attorney Bobby Barrera said, “and now, everyone can start healing and get this issue and problem behind them.”
Gonzales was in a runoff against gun rights activist and YouTube personality Brandon Herrera.
In a statement just after midnight, Herrera said he appreciated Gonzales for making the “appropriate” decision.
https://www.ksat.com/news/ksat-investigates/2026/03/06/scandal-ridden-us-rep-tony-gonzales-drops-re-election-bid-after-admitting-to-affair-with-staffer/
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