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After a narrow loss in his re-election bid, Congressman Tony Gonzales finds himself under a new investigation on Capitol Hill. The Texas Republican, once a MAGA ally, is now facing scrutiny over allegations of an affair with a staffer, who later died by suicide.
The Daily Mail initially reported that Gonzales allegedly had a romantic relationship with his former aide, Regina Aviles.
Following the revelation of this affair to her husband and after being distanced by Gonzales, Aviles, a married mother of one, tragically set herself on fire in the backyard of her Uvalde, Texas home. She passed away on September 14.
As votes continue to be tallied in Gonzales’s expansive border district in Texas, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ethics has announced an investigation into whether Gonzales engaged in an inappropriate relationship and if Aviles received any special treatment.
“The voters have spoken last night,” Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters on Wednesday morning.
‘It was announced this morning there’s an investigation – the OCC and the House Ethics Committee, and so we’ll see that plays out.“
Congressman Tony Gonzales hosted Elon Musk in September 2023 as he toured the US-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas. The aide he allegedly had an affair with, Regina Aviles, can been seen on the right of Musk
Brandon Herrera, a Republican congressional candidate for Texas’ 23rd District, speaks during an event, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Somerset, Texas
Johnson added he has encouraged Gonzales to address the controversy publicly.
On Tuesday, the three-term member of Congress did not win the necessary 50% of votes needed for any candidate to clinch the Republican nomination for Texas’s 23rd district– instead garnering 41% of the vote.
Instead, the most votes went to Gonzales’ GOP challenger Brandon Herrera- a gun enthusiast and YouTuber with over 4.2 million followers- who won 43% of voters.
Herrera had 23,747 votes to Gonzales’ 22,866.
The two will now face off in a May special election for the second time.
Herrera nearly unseated Gonzales by less than 400 votes in an election two years ago.
Gonzales has been under federal investigation since November, when the Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC) started looking into accusations the elected official had had an affair with his staffer.
House Rule 23 in the Code of Official Conduct states that members of Congress may not have sexual relations with a person who works under their supervision.
Aviles served as Gonzales’s regional director in Uvalde- about two hours outside San Antonio- since November 2021.
If the OCC felt there was enough evidence to move forward, it could recommend the House Ethics Committee look into the accusations in its own investigation.
Now the House will select other members to serve on a panel to lead the new probe.
‘The Committee will announce the Members who will serve on the Investigative Subcommittee once they are selected,’ the House Committee on Ethics explained in a press release Wednesday morning.
‘The Committee notes that the mere fact of establishing an Investigative Subcommittee does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred. No other public comment will be made on this matter except in accordance with Committee rules.’
Gonzales did not immediately reply to Daily Mail’s request for comment.
The congressman has been dodging the media for weeks and even declined to host a campaign night party.
However, on his X account, he posted what appeared to be a picture taken while mid-air and quote from the Bible.
‘Have a blessed day #TX23,’ the accused philander posted.
‘“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” – Psalm 19:1.’