Senator Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., is facing renewed criticism regarding his personal history as he defends recent campaign finance practices. Conservatives and other critics have pointed to his 2016 divorce, which occurred while his then-wife was nine months pregnant, as they question his portrayal of himself as a family-oriented figure and his use of donor funds.
In a social media video, Gallego discussed taking time off during a competitive Senate race in 2016 to be with his wife after an unplanned C-section and the birth of their daughter. "My wife had just been through an unplanned C-section. I wanted to be there for her, and for our newborn because being a husband and a father matters more to me than any campaign, or any job," he stated.
This statement drew sharp rebukes from political opponents and commentators. White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson suggested Gallego possessed "unbelievably bad instincts" for making the post, given public knowledge of his past. Matt Wolking, a GOP consultant, commented on X that Gallego's post invited attention to his history. Former National Republican Senatorial Committee adviser Matt Whitlock questioned if people were unaware that Gallego left his first wife when she was about to deliver their child.
The campaign account for Kari Lake, a former Republican challenger, also weighed in, asking for clarification on whether the child was from his second marriage and if he had left his first wife, who was nine months pregnant, for a lobbyist. Matt Van Swol, who identified himself as a former nuclear scientist, stated on X, "You literally gave your wife divorce papers when she was 9 months pregnant. You think people are just not gonna call you on that???"
Katie Miller, wife of White House policy advisor Stephen Miller, reiterated claims that Gallego served his wife divorce papers while she was nine months pregnant and subsequently entered a relationship with a lobbyist.
Gallego's current wife, Sydney Gallego, responded to Miller on X, asserting that Gallego and she did not meet until years after his divorce and that their family has a strong relationship. She accused Miller of lying and suggested the criticism was not about family values but politically motivated.
Former Jill Biden spokesperson Michael Larosa also criticized Gallego, stating, "Yes, Ruben Gallego was so vital to his wife's maternal health that when she was pregnant, he didn't take time off to support her—he served her with divorce papers ahead of delivery."
Campaign Spending Defense
Gallego has also defended his campaign's spending, including allegations that donor cash was used for personal expenses and luxury travel. He has argued that candidates need to raise money where the donors are, even at high-profile events or venues. "Are these at nice venues? Yes, it’s where the donors are and it's part of campaigning," Gallego wrote online. He specifically addressed reports about using campaign funds for Super Bowl tickets and family travel, stating that a Super Bowl fundraiser was held in Arizona to raise money for his election. "The Super Bowl was in Arizona, I represent Arizona. We threw a Super Bowl fundraiser in Arizona where we raised money for my election in 2023. That's what you do," Gallego told Fox News Digital. "You have to go where the money is to raise money."