On Thursday, divorce records for Arizona Democratic Senate candidate Ruben Gallego and his former wife, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, were unsealed by an Arizona court, providing some insight into a significant chapter of their personal lives, yet ultimately revealing little about the reasons behind their separation. The records, originating from a case that is now seven years old, lack any serious allegations of infidelity or abuse that could have impacted the ongoing Senate race, which has been flagged as pivotal for determining control of the Senate. The release of these documents followed a petition from the conservative media outlet, the Washington Free Beacon, which both Ruben and Kate Gallego opposed. Their primary concern was the privacy and safety of their child, an issue they believe is paramount. Unfortunately for the Gallegos, the Arizona Supreme Court rejected their emergency request to keep the records sealed just a day before their public release.
The implications of the document release have been exploited by Ruben Gallego’s opponent, GOP nominee Kari Lake, who has leveraged the situation to question Gallego’s character. Lake has insinuated through interviews and social media that the details of the divorce could potentially paint a more negative image of Gallego and insinuated the couple’s decision to keep the records sealed suggested they had something substantial to hide. Notably, she scrutinized Gallego’s departure from the marriage, suggesting his actions during Kate’s pregnancy could raise eyebrows. While Lake brought up the possibility of undisclosed abuse, it is important to highlight that the unsealed divorce decree explicitly stated that neither party had experienced or acknowledged any domestic violence during their marriage.
In response to Dug Lake’s character attacks, the Gallegos issued a joint statement condemning her comments and actions surrounding the release of their divorce file. They emphatically stated that they have always placed their son’s well-being and privacy as a priority. In a call for accountability, they demanded an apology from Lake, accusing her of spreading falsehoods about their family dynamics and exploiting their private matters for political gain. This public rebuke reflects the emotional toll the situation has taken, especially given that their son is now just seven years old and navigating the complexities of his parents’ past.
The unsealed divorce records did outline shared custody and parenting arrangements for their son, who was born while the divorce case was pending. However, specifics regarding their financial assets and other details were largely redacted, limiting public understanding of the couple’s circumstances during their separation. According to Yavapai County judge John Napper, who oversaw the decision to release the documents, the divorce case presented was quite mundane, with not much of notable interest. He characterized the file as “one of the most garden variety divorce files I have ever seen,” suggesting that public anticipation for scandalous or juicy details may have been overstated.
The breakup of the Gallego marriage came as a shock to many within Arizona’s political landscape when it was first made public in 2016, particularly due to the timing coinciding with the impending birth of their first child. Speculation surrounding the couple’s motives and choices regarding the secrecy of their divorce has loomed large over Ruben Gallego’s Senate campaign, challenging his narrative and political aspirations. Both Ruben and Kate have expressed their desire to maintain the matter as a personal one, refraining from delving deeply into the subject. Interestingly, Ruben has hinted at experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of his service in Iraq, suggesting that his mental health issues may have contributed to the marriage’s struggles.
Despite the initial fallout from their divorce, Kate Gallego has publicly endorsed Ruben’s Senate bid, showcasing a united front in their parenting efforts and personal lives. They are often seen together in public, usually accompanied by their son, which indicates an amicable co-parenting relationship despite the challenges they faced in their marriage. The ability of both to appear together and publicly support one another may be a strategic move, both for their family and to offset political narratives that could develop from their past. This collaboration, in the face of political turmoil, reflects an effort to move forward while putting their son’s needs first and handling the political landscape with grace and dignity.
