Support for Republican Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales is cratering after accusations of an affair with a former aide who later committed suicide came to light, according to a poll exclusively obtained by the Daily Caller.
Regina Santos-Aviles reportedly confirmed the affair months before she set herself on fire outside her Uvalde, Texas, home in September 2025. In a poll of 544 likely Republican primary voters conducted Feb. 18-20 by PI Polling, 54% of respondents had an unfavorable opinion of Gonzales, who is facing Second Amendment activist and YouTube personality Brandon Herrera in the Republican primary.
EXCLUSIVE: Poll Shows GOP Challenger Overtaking Texas Incumbent In Key House Primary: ‘Texas is tired of woke Tony Gonzales.’ https://t.co/r4Eotqi3VO
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) February 13, 2026
Gonzales trailed Herrera, 45% to 21%, according to the February poll, a sharp drop from the 40% to 33% lead he held in a PI Polling survey conducted in December, despite Gonzales receiving the endorsement of President Donald Trump. When informed of the allegations, 61% of respondents said they were less likely to vote for Gonzales in the March 3 primary election.
Sources in Texas familiar with the situation told The Daily Caller the romantic relationship between Gonzales and Santos-Aviles was “an open secret.” Prior to that, the rumored affair had not been independently confirmed by the Daily Caller.
“It’s common knowledge,” Bobby Barrera, an attorney representing Adrian Aviles, Regina’s widower, said. “The staff was clearly aware this event was occurring.”
A former staffer for Gonzales, who resigned to work on two Democratic campaigns in the Los Angeles area, told the Daily Caller the affair became “common knowledge” during the 2024 election, with at least two encounters at a rental cabin during a runoff between Gonzales and Herrera. After text messages from Santos-Aviles were obtained by the San Antonio Express-News, the outlet rescinded its endorsement of Gonzales for re-election.
I have now seen some of the text messages between Tony Gonzales and his late aide, Regina Santos-Aviles.
It is now clear to me Tony Gonzales is a sexual predator, who abused his position of power and wrecked a family.
I also now know this is not the only case.
He must resign. pic.twitter.com/H5wfdjl6pH
— Brandon Herrera (@TheAKGuy) February 22, 2026
“I have now seen some of the text messages between Tony Gonzales and his late aide, Regina Santos-Aviles,” Herrera posted Sunday afternoon on X, days after the Daily Caller’s Wednesday report. “It is now clear to me Tony Gonzales is a sexual predator, who abused his position of power and wrecked a family. I also now know this is not the only case. He must resign.”
During my six years in Congress not a single formal complaint has been levied against my office. Now days away from an election, coordinated political attacks reign in. IT WONT WORK. Half way through early voting and the intensity resides w/ TG voters. I’d rather be us than them.
— Tony Gonzales (@TonyGonzales4TX) February 22, 2026
“During my six years in Congress, not a single formal complaint has been levied against my office,” Gonzales posted on X at 3:46 a.m. Sunday morning. “Now, days away from an election, coordinated political attacks reign in. IT WONT WORK. Halfway through early voting, and the intensity resides w/ TG voters. I’d rather be us than them.”
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