Arizona Senate Candidate Ruben Gallego’s Divorce Records Unsealed Amidst Campaign Controversy

Recently unsealed divorce records of U.S. Senate candidate Ruben Gallego and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego reveal details about their 2016 separation, just before the birth of their son, as the legal proceedings resurfaced during Gallego’s campaign against Republican challenger Kari Lake. Both parties initially attempted to keep the divorce proceedings private, citing concerns for their child’s well-being, yet these efforts were unsuccessful as Arizona courts ordered the records to be made public.

The documents, which contain no allegations of infidelity or physical abuse, describe the marriage as “irretrievably broken,” a legal term frequently used in Arizona divorce cases. The release of these records has drawn attention at a critical time in Ruben Gallego’s campaign for a U.S. Senate seat in a closely watched race against Lake.

Ruben Gallego, a Democratic member of Congress with five terms under his belt, attributed the divorce in part to post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from his military service in Iraq. Previous interviews with media outlets, such as the Washington Post, mention “extreme outbursts,” although the newly public documents omit specific details.

Both Ruben and Kate Gallego have expressed concerns about the public disclosure of their divorce files, fearing it could endanger their son. They jointly blamed Lake for allegedly exploiting their personal situation to gain political advantage, an accusation Lake denies.

The legal battle over the records concluded when the Arizona Supreme Court rejected the Gallegos’ appeal to keep the documents sealed, accepting an earlier ruling favoring the Washington Free Beacon’s lawsuit to unseal them. The court decided divorce records in Arizona are customarily accessible and reiterated that the files were largely typical and unremarkable, as stated by Judge John Napper, who oversaw the initial proceedings.

Kari Lake, Washington Free Beacon, and their allies maintain that opening the records to public scrutiny serves the electorate, an assertion contested by Ruben Gallego. Caroline Wren, an advisor to Lake, distanced the Republican candidate from the lawsuit effort but acknowledged the potential political implications of the divorce details being made public.

Despite the controversy, Kate Gallego has endorsed her former husband in the Senate race, emphasizing their shared focus on parenting post-divorce. The couple’s divorce was finalized in April 2017 with an amicable agreement on asset division and a plan for co-parenting their son, Michael.

In recent debates, Lake has repeatedly highlighted Ruben Gallego’s divorce and personal history, attempting to question his integrity and political alliances. Nevertheless, Ruben Gallego remains a strong contender, frequently leading in polls and securing considerable support from Democratic allies.

The Washington Free Beacon, the media outlet involved, claims to spotlight “enemies of freedom,” and its pursuit of the divorce records aligns with its conservative inclinations, as evidenced by past involvements such as contracts with political research firms.