GOP Lawmaker Reportedly Had Affair With Aide Who Died By Self-Immolation
WASHINGTON — A Republican lawmaker’s apparent affair with an aide who later died by suicide has roiled a close primary election in Texas.
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) said in a statement from his office to HuffPost that his former staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, was “a kind soul” devoted to improving her community. He accused his Republican primary opponent, Brandon Herrera, of exploiting her death in order to win the March 3 primary 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 said. “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 published a story Tuesday in which another former aide to Gonzales, who was not named, said the lawmaker should have done something to prevent Santos-Aviles’ death. The aide said Santos-Aviles, 35, spiraled into a depression after her husband discovered the affair and Gonzales cut her off. She died after setting herself on fire in September.
