WASHINGTON — Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) asked an aide to “send me a sexy pic” before attempting to discuss her preferred sexual positions in May 2024, text messages obtained by The Post show.
The suggestive messages between Gonzales and Regina Santos-Aviles — who burned herself to death in the back yard of her home 16 months later — were released by her widower, Adrian Aviles, on Monday.
Regina Santos-Aviles with her husband, Adrian, in an undated photo. Regina fatally set herself on fire last year. Facebook“[S]end me a sexy pic,” Gonzales asked Santos-Aviles shortly after midnight on May 9, 2024.
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) exchanged a series of racy texts with aide Regina Santos-Aviles, texts obtained by The Post reveal. Obtained by the NY Post“This is going too far boss,” Santos-Aviles replied.
In one text, Aviles suggests the conversation is “going too far.” Obtained by the NY Post“What do you like,” Gonzales continued, “Anal?” before requesting pictures of the mother of one, adding in a subsequent message: “I’m just such a visual person.”
In a reply, Gonzales called himself a “visual person.” Obtained by the NY Post“Please tell me you didn’t just hire me because I was hot,” Santos-Aviles responded, to which the Republican rep answered, “Never.”
Elon Musk, US Rep. Tony Gonzales (in light blue shirt and jeans) and Regina Santos-Aviles (bottom right) visit an area where migrants who crossed the Rio Grande river from Mexico into the United States are processed by US Customs and Border Protection officers. James Keivom“Favorite position,” Gonzales pressed, to which Santos-Aviles responded: “Yours first?”
Gonzales asked Aviles about her favorite sexual position in one racy text. Obtained by the NY Post“On top pinning your legs,” the congressman wrote.
“This is too far, Tony,” Santos-Aviles said. “[G]o to sleep are you sure your [sic] sober.”
In another reply to Gonzales, Aviles says she does not like “taking pictures of myself.” Obtained by the NY PostThe text messages were extracted from Santos-Aviles’ cellphone by a forensic team working with Adrian Aviles to expose her conversations with the congressman.
Reps for Gonzales’ campaign and congressional office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The lawmaker is seeking a fourth House term and faces a closely contested primary March 3
“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 [sic] in. IT WONT WORK,” Gonzales posted Sunday on X.
A text from her husband to Aviles’ office about her affair. Obtained by the NY Post“Half way through early voting and the intensity resides w/ TG voters. I’d rather be us than them.”
Aviles responded to the post, “I don’t think anyone rather be you.. You’re a home wrecking perverted sick man Tony. Zero remorse, zero accountability just denial, deflection, lies, and playing the victim.”
“This isn’t ‘coordinated political attacks’ this is exposing the real Tony Gonzales, this is tragedy you helped create, and you refuse to own it,” Aviles continued. “I’m sure others stayed silent in fear of your power, but I fear no man but God. My 8 yr old son will grow up knowing what a real man of honor looks like.”
Rep. Tony Gonzales with his wife, Angel, in an undated photo. Facebook / Congressman Tony Gonzales“I’m exposing your disgust as my duty to him, and in memory of Regina, who deserved better than your abuse of power. You don’t deserve the responsibility of being a congressman or a leader. Texans deserve a leader with integrity, not a coward.”
Aviles also called on President Trump to withdraw his December endorsement of Gonzales for re-election.
Regina Santos-Aviles took her own life last year. Regina Santos Aviles / FacebookAviles and his attorney, Bobby Barrera, had been seeking a settlement of up to $300,000 under the Congressional Accountability Act for alleged sexual harassment and workplace retaliation his late wife suffered while working in Gonzales’ Uvalde district office.
Santos-Aviles, 35, lit herself on fire on Sept. 13, 2025, and died the next day of her injuries.
Authorities and a county medical examiner later ruled the death a suicide.
