Ruben Gallego

Ruben Marinelarena Gallego /ˈruːbən ˌɡaɪˈɛɡoʊ/ (born November 20, 1979) is an American politician who is the U.S. Representative for Arizona's 7th congressional district. A Democrat, he previously served as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives, serving as assistant minority leader in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2012 until his resignation to run for Congress. Gallego was elected to Congress in the 2014 midterm congressional elections. His district includes most of southern, western, and downtown Phoenix, along with a portion of Glendale. He served as the National Chair of Eric Swalwell’s 2020 Presidential Campaign.

For the writer, see Rubén Gallego.

Ruben Gallego
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Arizona's 7th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2015
Preceded byEd Pastor
Member of the Arizona House of Representatives
from the 16th district
In office
January 10, 2011 – March 14, 2014
Preceded byCloves Campbell
Succeeded byNorma Muñoz
Personal details
Born
Ruben Gallego

(1979-11-20) November 20, 1979
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)
​
(
m. 2010; div. 2017)
Children1
EducationHarvard University (AB)
WebsiteHouse website
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Marine Corps
Years of service2000–2006
Rank Corporal
UnitUnited States Marine Corps Reserve
Battles/warsIraq War

Early life

Gallego was born in Chicago[1] and is a first generation American with a Colombian mother and a Mexican father.[2]

Along with his three sisters, he was raised by a single mother.[3] The family eventually moved to Evergreen Park, Illinois, and he graduated from Evergreen Park Community High School.[4]

Gallego attended Harvard College, where he was a member of Sigma Chi.[5]

On August 7, 2008, Ruben Marinelarena changed his name to Ruben Marinelarena Gallego to honor his mother, Elisa Gallego, who raised him and his three siblings on her own after his father abandoned the family in his childhood.[6] Gallego was married to Kate Widland Gallego (later elected Mayor of Phoenix). They divorced in 2017, just prior to the birth of their first and only child.

Gallego currently sits on the boards of Valley Citizens League, and the President’s Community Advisory Board for South Mountain Community College.[7]

Career

After college, Gallego joined the Marines. After completing infantry training, he deployed to Iraq with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment. 3/25 would lose 46 Marines and two Navy corpsmen between January 2005 and January 2006, according to the Marine Corps official website.[3]

Gallego lost his best friend in combat in Iraq.[3] His desire to help fellow veterans motivated the formerly apolitical Gallego to get involved with politics.[8]

In 2011, he was named as a distinguished freshman lawmaker by The Arizona Republic.[9] Gallego's first successful bill granted in-state tuition status to veterans residing in Arizona.[3] Gallego supports the repeal of Arizona SB 1070. He considers education to be the most important long-term priority for Arizona.[10] In 2012, Gallego was elected assistant minority leader.[11]

He founded the group Citizens for Professional Law Enforcement, with the goal of recalling Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Gallego cited Arpaio's immigration policies and his use of taxpayer money to investigate Barack Obama's citizenship as reasons for recalling Arpaio.[12]

Gallego worked for Strategies 360 as Director of Latino and New Media operations. He also worked for Riester, one of the largest public relations firms in Arizona, and for Phoenix Councilman Michael Nowakowski.[13]

U.S. House of Representatives
Gallego during the 114th Congress

2014 election
Gallego introducing former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a campaign event in Phoenix.

On February 27, 2014, Gallego announced his candidacy for U.S. Congress in Arizona's 7th congressional district.[14] Gallego resigned from the Arizona House in March 2014.[15] He was not required to give up his seat under Arizona's resign-to-run laws, since he was in the final year of his state house term.

Mayday PAC, a super PAC seeking to reduce the role of money in politics, announced its endorsement of Gallego because of his impressive evolution on the issue of campaign finance reform.[16] On February 28, 2013 Gallego voted against an amendment that sought to raise campaign finance limits for federal candidates and abolish all limits for state candidates, HB 2523.[17] He has since been a vocal supporter of the Government By the People Act.[18]

Gallego won a five-way Democratic primary—the real contest in this heavily Democratic, majority-Latino district—with 48.9 percent of the vote. He breezed to victory in November with 74 percent of the vote.

Committee assignments, 116th Congress

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Ruben Gallego has a 0% rating from Heritage Action for America for his progressive voting record.[24]

Civil rights

Gallego has a 100% rating from the NAACP[25] and an 89% lifetime rating from the ACLU for his pro-civil rights voting record.[26] He also has a 100% rating for his pro-LGBTQ voting record from the Human Rights Campaign.[27] Gallego supports same-sex marriage and the inclusion of LGBTQ people under the Employment Nondiscrimination Act.[28]

Drugs

As of 2016, Gallego has an "A" rating from NORML for his drug reform-related voting record.[29] He has a rating of 5 out of 6 for his pro-cannabis record from the National Cannabis Industry Association.[30] In a letter to the U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Gallego stated "I support full legalization of marijuana. As a member of the Arizona legislature, I introduced a bill that would have legalized marijuana possession and regulated and taxed marijuana in our state in a manner similar to alcohol. I wholly support these types of measures."[31]

Budget and economy

As of 2020, Gallego has a 17% rating from FreedomWorks and a 9% score from Club for Growth[32] for his conservative economic voting record and a 47% voting record for his pro-business record from the United States Chamber of Commerce.[33][34] As of 2017, he has a 100% rating from the AFSCME for his pro-union voting record.[35]

Energy and oil

Gallego supports cap and trade legislation. He is in favor of carbon taxes and increasing funding for renewable, clean energy.[36]

Ruben Gallego during a National Resources Committee meeting in 2020.

Environment

Gallego has a 97% lifetime rating from the League of Conservation Voters for his pro-environment voting record.[37] Gallego opposed the Trump administration’s proposed rollback of protections for the Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska.[38] Gallego oppposed the building of the Rosemont mine in Arizona, saying the mine will have a "devastating" environmental impact. He has sponsored efforts to require operators of public water systems to report when lead is found in water.[39]

Government reform

Gallego supports the Government by the People Act and he has co-sponsored efforts to introduce democracy vouchers and automatic voter registration.[40]

Gun law

Gallego supports gun buyback programs.[41]

Health care

Gallego supports Obamacare and opposed the repealing of the law.[42]

He has a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood for his pro-women's health voting record.[43]

Homeland security

Gallego is a Marine who served in the Iraq War. Gallego supported efforts to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell.[44]

Immigration

Gallego opposes efforts to deport undocumented immigrants while they wait to be eligible for citizenship. He has co-sponsored efforts to require lawyers for children who are at risk at being deported.[45]

Puerto Rico

Gallego supports Puerto Rico statehood.[46]

Social security

Gallego opposes the privatization of social security. He also opposes people being able to put social security taxes in personal retirement accounts.[47]

Tax reform

Gallego supports increasing taxes in order to balance the federal budget.[48]

Electoral history
Arizona House of Representatives 16th District Democratic Primary Election, 2010
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ruben Gallego 4,149 26.12
Democratic Catherine Miranda 3,476 21.88
Democratic Cloves Campbell 3,182 20.03
Democratic Jim Munoz, Jr. 2,281 14.36
Democratic Sandra Gonzales 1,955 12.31
Democratic Cristy Lopez 842 5.30
Arizona House of Representatives 16th District Election, 2010
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Catherine Miranda 19,197 39.46
Democratic Ruben Gallego 18,365 37.75
Republican Michael Gular 8,551 17.58
Green Angel Torres 2,532 5.21
Arizona House of Representatives 27th District Election, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Catherine Miranda (inc.) 28,683 40.98
Democratic Ruben Gallego (inc.) 27,522 39.32
Republican Daniel Coleman 10,088 14.41
Green Angel Torres 3,702 5.29
Arizona's 7th Congressional District Democratic Primary Election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ruben Gallego 14,936 48.90
Democratic Mary Rose Wilcox 11,077 36.27
Democratic Randy Camacho 2,330 7.63
Democratic Jarrett Maupin 2,199 7.20
Arizona's 7th Congressional District Election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ruben Gallego 54,235 74.85
Libertarian Joe Cobb 10,715 14.79
Americans Elect Rebecca DeWitt 3,858 5.32
Independent José Peñalosa 3,496 4.83
Republican/Write-in Gary Dunn 129 0.18
Democratic/Write-in Gustavo Ortega 17 0.02
Independent/Write-in Samuel Esquivel 4 0.01
Arizona's 7th Congressional District Election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ruben Gallego (Inc.) 119,465 75.2
Republican Eve Nunez 39,286 24.7
N/A Write-in 60 0
Arizona's 7th Congressional District Election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ruben Gallego (Inc.) 113,044 85.6
Green Gary Swing 18,706 14.1
N/A Write-in 301 0
gollark: … for a new PSU just check PCPartPICKER.
gollark: Yes, but you put it in for some stupid reason.
gollark: Also also, that's worse than the server I got off ebay for £100.
gollark: Also, you should not go around putting stuff in until you actually have *everything*.
gollark: It's not a case if it has stuff inside it.

See also

References
  1. "Guide to the New Congress" (PDF). Roll Call. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  2. "Ruben Gallego Is Sworn In As Representative From Arizona's 7th Congressional District". Congressman Ruben Gallego. January 7, 2015.
  3. Lopatin, Shari (September 2011). "Marine Turned Politician". Phoenix Magazine. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  4. Miglieri, Anthony (March 19, 2015). "Former E.P. Student Sworn in as Arizona Congressman" (PDF). Mustang Monitor. 60 (3). Evergreen Park Community High School. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  5. Avi-Yonah, Shera S. (June 10, 2019). "Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Introduces Legislation That Could Endanger Harvard's Sanctions". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  6. "This Arizona candidate changed his name. His opponent wasn't happy about it". Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  7. "Representative Ruben Gallego". Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  8. "Ambition, Life Experience Driving State Representative". South Mountain District News. May 31, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  9. Pitzl, Mary Jo (May 21, 2011). "Arizona House and Senate distinguished freshmen". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  10. "Candidate Q and A: Ruben Gallego". AZCentral.com. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  11. "Democrats select leaders in Arizona House, Senate". My Fox Memphis. November 13, 2012. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  12. Celock, John (September 25, 2012). "Joe Arpaio Opponents Form Super PAC To Unseat Arizona Sheriff". Huffington Post. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  13. "Ruben Gallego". Strategies 360. Archived from the original on July 9, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  14. "Ruben Gallego, Arizona State Rep., Announces Bid For Congress". Huffington Post. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  15. "Rep. Gallego resigns from Arizona House". Arizona Capitol Times. March 14, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  16. Sullivan, Sean (August 11, 2014). "A leading 'anti-super PAC' just backed three more candidates for Congress". Washington Post. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  17. "The Voter's Self Defense System". Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  18. "Ruben Gallego - Gallego For Arizona". Archived from the original on November 18, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  19. "Members". House Baltic Caucus. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  20. "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  21. "Members". Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  22. "Congressman Ruben Gallego Joins the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus as Vice-Chair for the 114th Congress". Congressman Ruben Gallego. February 24, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  23. "Members". Congressional Progressive Caucus. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  24. "Rep. Ruben Gallego". Heritage Action For America. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  25. "NAACP Civil Rights Federal Legislative Report Card" (PDF). NAACP. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  26. "Legislative Scorecard 2018". American Civil Liberties Union. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  27. "Congressional Scorecard" (PDF). Human Rights Commission. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  28. "Ruben Gallego on Civil Rights". On the Issues. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  29. "Ruben Gallego on Drugs". On the Issues. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  30. "Congressional Scorecard". The National Cannabis Industry Association. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  31. Gallego, Ruben. "Rep. Ruben Gallego Statement on Changes to DOJ Marijuana Enforcement Policies". Votesmart.com. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  32. "Scorecard Legislator » Club for Growth". Club for Growth. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  33. "Congressional Scorecard - FreedomWorks". FreedomWorks. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  34. "2018 Congressional Scorecard". U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  35. "Congressional Record 115th Congress First Session" (PDF). AFSCME. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  36. "Ruben Gallego on Energy & Oil". On the Issues. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  37. "Check out Representative Ruben Gallego's Environmental Voting Record". League of Conservation Voters Scorecard. July 3, 2019. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  38. "House Democrats to President Trump: Don't Kill Protections for America's Largest National Forest". Congressman Ruben Gallego. October 11, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  39. "Ruben Gallego on Environment". On the Issues. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  40. "Ruben Gallego on Government Reform". On the Issues. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  41. "Ruben Gallego on Gun Control". On the Issues. Archived from the original on June 12, 2019.
  42. "Ruben Gallego on Health Care". On the Issues. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  43. "Congressional Scorecard". Planned Parenthood Action Committee. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  44. "Ruben Gallego on Homeland Security". On the Issues. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  45. "Ruben Gallego on Immigration". On the Issues. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  46. Gallego, Ruben (March 28, 2019). "It is fundamentally unfair for the people of Puerto Rico - who serve in our military & contribute to our country - to be treated as 2nd class American citizens. I am proud to support legislation that will finally ensure 3 million Puerto Ricans are treated fairly. #PRStatehoodNow". @RepRubenGallego. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  47. "Ruben Gallego on Social Security". On the Issues. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  48. "Ruben Gallego on Tax Reform". On the Issues. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017.
Arizona House of Representatives
Preceded by
Cloves Campbell		 Member of the Arizona House of Representatives
from the 16th district
2011–2014		 Succeeded by
Norma Muñoz
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Ed Pastor		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Arizona's 7th congressional district
2015–present		 Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Tom Emmer		 United States Representatives by seniority
256th		 Succeeded by
Garret Graves
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