Unsealed Divorce Records of Ruben Gallego Stir Controversy in Arizona Senate Race

An Arizona judge has unsealed the divorce filings of Democratic Senate candidate Ruben Gallego, a development previously anticipated to impact the heated Arizona Senate race. However, the documents did not include the anticipated controversy that Republican opponent Kari Lake had suggested they might.

The unsealed records reveal that Ruben Gallego filed for divorce from his then-wife, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, in 2016. The filings, which have been a point of contention for nearly a year, have played a significant role in Gallego’s campaign, as well as impacting Kate Gallego’s efforts to secure re-election as Phoenix Mayor. The documents show that the divorce was deemed amicable, with both parties agreeing the marriage was “irretrievably broken.” Importantly, both acknowledged the absence of domestic violence, and they successfully arranged a co-parenting plan for their son.

The case was described by Yavapai County Superior Court Judge John Napper as “one of the most garden variety divorce files” he had encountered. The description sharply contrasts with the explosive claims made by Kari Lake, who has attempted to use the divorce against Gallego as a political ploy in the ongoing election battle.

Ruben and Kate Gallego released a joint statement demanding an apology from Lake, claiming she lied about their family and the circumstances surrounding their divorce. “We have long put our child before all else and will continue to do so,” stated the Gallegos, criticizing Lake and her allies for failing to respect their privacy and the well-being of their young son.

In response, Kari Lake’s senior advisor, Caroline Wren, rejected the apology demand, citing the divorce proceedings as evidence of Gallego’s unfit character. Meanwhile, the Washington Free Beacon, the media outlet responsible for initiating the legal process to unseal the records, defended the release as “an important victory for the First Amendment and the freedom of the press.”

The court’s decision to unseal the records came after contentious legal battles, with both Gallegos seeking to prevent full disclosure to protect their son’s privacy. Judge Napper agreed to redact certain portions related to their son and financial details but maintained that the remaining content should be publicly accessible.

The timing and nature of the unsealed records have added a new chapter to the ongoing political saga, with both candidates making their final appeals ahead of the election. Kari Lake continues to leverage the divorce in her campaign rhetoric, while polls and fundraising favor Ruben Gallego.