San Antonio Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales publicly admitted for the first time Wednesday that he had an affair with a former staffer, reversing months of denials on the same day the House Ethics Committee announced a formal investigation into his conduct.
"There was a lapse in judgment, and there was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions," Gonzales said in an interview with conservative radio host Joe Pagliarulo. "Since then, I've reconciled with my wife Angel, I've asked God to forgive me, which he has, and my faith is as strong as ever."
The staffer at the center of the allegations, Regina Santos-Aviles, was Gonzales' regional director and died by suicide last September after setting herself on fire at her Uvalde home. Both Gonzales and Santos-Aviles were married at the time of the alleged relationship.
Gonzales said he had not spoken with Santos-Aviles since June 2024, more than a year before her death. He had previously called the affair allegations "completely untruthful" as recently as November 2025.
The admission came hours after the Ethics Committee moved against him. The panel voted to establish an investigative subcommittee to determine whether Gonzales "engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his congressional office" and "discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges." Relationships between members of Congress and staff are prohibited under the House Code of Official Conduct.
Gonzales, his chief of staff, and two other staffers all refused to cooperate with the Office of Congressional Conduct, which has been investigating the matter for months and recommended the Ethics Committee subpoena them.
The scandal has shadowed Gonzales through a bruising primary. Texts later shared by Santos-Aviles' widower showed Gonzales asking the staffer for a "sexy pic" and asking her to share her "favorite position," despite Santos-Aviles' refusal. Records also showed she received a raise and bonus the same year the alleged affair took place.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday he would let investigations play out, telling reporters: "We allow due process and investigations to play out."
Rep. Nancy Mace planned to force a vote Thursday on a resolution compelling the Ethics Committee to release all reports on congressional sexual harassment investigations. The process could take months, meaning a final report may not come until well after the May 26 runoff between Gonzales and challenger Brandon Herrera. Gonzales has so far refused to resign.