Ruben Gallego | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Ed Pastor |
| Constituency | 7th district (2015–2023) 3rd district (2023–present) |
| Member of the Arizona House of Representatives | |
| In office January 10, 2011 – March 14, 2014 Serving with Catherine Miranda | |
| Preceded by | Cloves Campbell Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Norma Muñoz |
| Constituency | 16th district (2011–2013) 27th district (2013–2014) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ruben Marinelarena November 20, 1979 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 2 |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) |
| Website | |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | |
| Years of service | 2002–2006 |
| Rank | Lance Corporal |
| Unit | 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War |
Rubén Marinelarena Gallego (/ˈruːbən ɡaɪˈɛɡoʊ/ ROO-bən gy-EH-goh; born November 20, 1979) is an American politician and U.S. Marine Corps veteran serving as the U.S. representative for Arizona's 3rd congressional district. Gallego served and deployed as a USMCR corporal in the US invasion of Iraq. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Gallego was previously a member of the Arizona House of Representatives, where he was assistant minority leader from 2012 until he resigned to run for Congress. Gallego was first elected to Congress in 2014. His district includes most of southern, western, and downtown Phoenix, and part of Glendale. He served as the national chair of Eric Swalwell's 2020 presidential campaign.[1]
Generally considered a progressive,[2][3][4] Gallego has supported the Medicare for All Act, ending the Senate filibuster, and cutting military spending. He was highly critical of Senator Kyrsten Sinema's opposition to abolishing the filibuster and certain Democratic legislation.[5] Party members and progressive organizations encouraged Gallego to run against her, and he announced his candidacy for the 2024 United States Senate election in Arizona in January 2023. Sinema later announced she would not run for reelection. Gallego, who had previously embraced his progressive background as "a fierce liberal combatant", has sought to strike a moderate tone in his 2024 campaign in order to woo swing voters.[6][7] The New York Times wrote, "Gallego has built a reputation as a blunt-spoken liberal who is politically in tune with young progressives and lacerates his opponents with profane social media posts", once calling Donald Trump's border wall plans "stupid" and accusing Trump of "scapegoating immigrants," but "delicately turning to the political center" by 2024.[4]
- ^ Kling, Matt (April 15, 2019). "Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego Joins Eric Swalwell's Presidential Campaign". KJZZ (FM). Archived from the original on April 16, 2019.
- ^ Otterbein, Holly (January 26, 2023). "Here is how Ruben Gallego believes he can win Arizona's Senate seat".
- ^ Nichols, John (January 25, 2023). "Ruben Gallego Is More Than Just an Alternative to Kyrsten Sinema". The Nation.
- ^ a b Carrasquillo, Adrian (September 30, 2021). "Draft Ruben Gallego Effort Launches as Progressives Seek to Oust Kyrsten Sinema". Newsweek.
- ^ Joan E Greve (January 23, 2023). "Ruben Gallego to run for Arizona Senate seat held by Kyrsten Sinema". The Guardian. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
- ^ Tabet, Alex; Hillyard, Vaughn (April 8, 2024). "Ruben Gallego redefines himself as he seeks Senate promotion in Arizona". NBC News.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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