Tony Gonzales, Brandon Herrera
Via The Texas Tribune
Gun rights activist and YouTuber Brandon Herrera, who is challenging Rep. Tony Gonzales in a primary for Texas' 23rd district, slammed him over reports of an alleged affair with an aide who later committed suicide.
"There is so much more, this recent scandal has barely scratched the surface. Tony is an evil man who must resign," Herrera said in a social media publication.
There is so much more, this recent scandal has barely scratched the surface.Tony is an evil man who must resign. https://t.co/iLS2TJ4606
— Brandon Herrera (@TheAKGuy) February 20, 2026
He was reacting to a publication from journalist Juliegrace Brufke, who said two additional former female aides of Gonzales told her the lawmaker "sent them text messages that made them uneasy during the course of their time working for him, with one saying she is surprised that information about 'toxic' office dynamics has not come out sooner."
Gonzales has been under investigation since last year over the alleged affair. Punchbowl news noted on Friday that the Office of Congressional Conduct has been looking into potential House rules violations related to the alleged affair between Gonzales and Regina Ann Santos-Aviles.
The outlet noted that even if Gonzales wins his primary on March 3 he could face an investigation by the House Ethics Committee depending on the conclusions reached by the Office of Congressional Conduct. The report is expected to come out the day after the primary.
House Rule 23 prohibits members from any "sexual relationship" with employees under their supervision. The woman's ex husband, Adrian Aviles, said he discovered the alleged relationship in May 2024 when he saw his wife texting Gonzales and later found messages he described as "very sexual in nature."
He said the relationship had lasted two to three weeks at that point. Aviles said he later contacted Gonzales and members of his staff to say he knew about the relationship and intended to make it public, after which, he claimed, his wife was marginalized at work.
Authorities said Santos-Aviles poured gasoline on herself outside her home on September 13, 2025, and died the next day at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. The Bexar County Medical Examiner ruled her death a suicide, and police said surveillance video showed she was alone and that there was no evidence of foul play.
Aviles disputed that conclusion, saying, "I don't think that it was an intentional act. I think it was a cry for help that turned into a tragedy."
Gonzales, on his end, said Aviles is trying to blackmail him. He posted an image on social media showing a message from his attorney, Bobby Barrera. It claims that Aviles is seeking $300,000 for a non-disclosure agreement to refrain from filing a civil action that could damage his career.
Gonzales slammed the message, saying he "will not be blackmailed." "Disgusting to see people profit politically and financially off a tragic death. The public should IMMEDIATELY have full access to the Uvalde Police report. I will keep fighting for" Texas' 23rd district, he added.
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Tags: Tony Gonzales, Texas, Republicans