Support for Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales Plummets After Scandal

Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales is facing a significant decrease in support among GOP primary voters following revelations of an alleged affair with a district staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles. According to a recent poll conducted by the Trafalgar Group, many voters were unaware of the circumstances surrounding Santos-Aviles’s tragic death, which occurred when she reportedly set herself on fire in her backyard in Uvalde, Texas, in September. She later succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital.

The poll, conducted between October 26 and 29, 2025, indicated that 46% of the 503 likely Republican primary voters surveyed were not aware of the reports detailing Gonzales’s alleged affair with Santos-Aviles, who was also married. This information comes from corroborating sources speaking to both 24sight News and the Daily Mail. In light of the scandal, a majority of respondents expressed their concerns about the implications for Gonzales’s political future.

Voters were queried about their awareness of potential ethical violations linked to Gonzales, specifically regarding an investigation by the House Ethics Committee related to his alleged relationship with a congressional employee. House rules prohibit such relationships, and while the committee declined to comment on whether an investigation into Gonzales had commenced, his office did not respond to requests for clarification.

The fallout from the allegations appears to be substantial. When asked about the impact of the alleged affair on their voting preferences, 49% of respondents indicated they were “less likely” or “much less likely” to support Gonzales in the upcoming primary.

Poll Results Show Shift in Voter Sentiment

In a separate poll conducted from October 31 to November 1, Gonzales maintained a lead with 40.4% of the primary votes, narrowly ahead of challenger Brandon Herrera, an entrepreneur and advocate for Second Amendment rights, who garnered 35.2%. The remaining voters reported being undecided.

Despite Gonzales’s current standing, the ongoing investigation and scandal could alter the dynamics of the race. When voters were informed about the affair alongside Gonzales’s previous comments advocating for a thorough investigation into Donald Trump’s actions on January 6, 2021, the poll reflected a significant shift. In this scenario, 43.9% of likely GOP primary voters expressed support for Herrera, compared to 32.4% for Gonzales.

As the situation continues to develop, the implications of this scandal could prove pivotal for Gonzales’s reelection efforts. The combination of personal scandal and political fallout may reshape the voter landscape in the Texas 23rd Congressional District.