GOP Lawmaker Reportedly Had Affair With Aide Who Died By Self-Immolation | EUROtoday

WASHINGTON — A Republican lawmaker’s obvious affair with an aide who later died by suicide has roiled an in depth main election in Texas.

Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) mentioned in a press release from his workplace to HuffPost that his former staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, was “a kind soul” dedicated to enhancing her neighborhood. He accused his Republican main opponent, Brandon Herrera, of exploiting her loss of life in an effort to win the March 3 main election.

“It’s shameful that Brandon Herrera is using a disgruntled former staffer to smear her memory and score political points, conveniently pushing this out the very day early voting started,” Gonzales mentioned. “I am not going to engage in these personal smears and instead will remain focused on helping President Trump secure the border and improve the lives of all Texans.”

The San Antonio Express-News revealed a narrative Tuesday wherein one other former aide to Gonzales, who was not named, mentioned the lawmaker ought to have carried out one thing to stop Santos-Aviles’ loss of life. The aide mentioned Santos-Aviles, 35, spiraled right into a melancholy after her husband found the affair and Gonzales lower her off. She died after setting herself on hearth in September.

In a social media put up over the weekendin response to a report {that a} “devastating” story would quickly come to mild, Herrera blamed Gonzales for what occurred.

“It’s horrifically tragic that a young woman lost her life, especially under these circumstances,” Herrera wrote. “But I am glad the truth is finally coming to light, I hate it when corrupt politicians like Tony are guilty of atrocious behavior, and think they can lie their way out of it.”

On Tuesday, Herrera known as on Gonzales to step down, echoing a assertion from a Republican consultant within the Texas legislature. And the Express-News revoked its endorsement of the lawmaker.

Herrera, a YouTube gun influencer who made a video of himself recreating the assassination of John F. Kennedy, first challenged Gonzales in 2024 and compelled a runoff election he barely misplaced. Gonzales, a average who has often gone in opposition to his social gathering in House votes, would possible be a stronger candidate than Herrera within the November basic election.

An legal professional for Santos-Aviles’ husband informed the Express-News the affair was an “open secret,” however he mentioned he didn’t consider it was the reason for her loss of life. The paper mentioned it obtained textual content messages from Santos-Aviles corroborating reviews of her romantic entanglement with Gonzales.

Gonzales denied rumors concerning the relationship in November.

“People throwing rocks at me, saying I’m doing nasty things — I totally get that. But the rumors are completely untruthful,” Gonzales informed KSAT.

If you or somebody you understand wants assist, name or textual content 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for psychological well being assist. Additionally, you could find native psychological well being and disaster assets at dontcallthepolice.com. Outside of the U.S., please go to the International Association for Suicide Prevention.