Rep. Ruben Gallego, the Democratic contender in Arizona’s heated U.S. Senate race, may soon face significant challenges as details from his sealed divorce records are set to be released. Gallego, who is running against Kari Lake, is currently leading in the polls by a sizable margin, with some surveys showing him ahead by as much as 13 points. However, the impending release of his 2017 divorce records could alter the dynamics of the race, potentially narrowing the gap between him and Lake.
The unsealing of these records comes after a lengthy legal battle that began when The Washington Free Beacon filed a motion earlier this year to make Gallego’s divorce records public. The Democrat, who divorced his then-wife, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, when she was nine months pregnant, has managed to keep the details of the split under wraps—until now.
The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the records can no longer be kept sealed, despite efforts by both Ruben and Kate Gallego to maintain their privacy. This decision follows days of speculation, stoked by Kari Lake, who publicly questioned what Gallego might be hiding, writing on social media, “Arizona deserves to know what he’s hiding.” The divorce records are expected to be released before the end of the week, and their contents could become a focal point in the final weeks of the Senate campaign.
From the outset, The Free Beacon noted that the circumstances surrounding Gallego’s divorce seemed unusual. Divorce records are typically public, especially when they involve high-profile figures like Ruben and Kate Gallego, both of whom hold public office. In Arizona, court records, including those related to divorces, are generally accessible to the public, but in the Gallegos’ case, the entire docket was sealed. This level of secrecy raised eyebrows, as it is uncommon for Arizona courts to keep divorce records entirely sealed unless there is sensitive information involved.
Adding to the intrigue, the divorce was filed in Yavapai County, even though the couple lived in Maricopa County at the time. Arizona law generally requires divorces to be filed in the county where the parties reside, making the Gallegos’ choice of Yavapai County an odd detail that has further fueled speculation.
Despite the public interest, Rep. Gallego and his legal team have fought to keep the divorce records sealed, arguing that unsealing them could violate his privacy and that of his ex-wife. Initially, the Yavapai County Superior Court agreed to unseal the records but allowed Gallego to propose certain redactions. However, on July 3, Superior Court Judge John Napper rejected several of Gallego’s proposed redactions, ruling that a version of the record must be filed publicly.
Gallego appealed the decision, seeking to keep the records under wraps, and even secured a temporary stay from the state Court of Appeals. In his appeal, Gallego cited concerns about protecting the privacy of their minor child, a common argument in cases involving sealed family court records.
However, the Arizona Supreme Court has now weighed in, unanimously rejecting the couple’s efforts to block the release of the divorce records. In their ruling, the justices stated that Gallego had failed to demonstrate “a strong likelihood of success on the merit” of his case and had not provided sufficient evidence to show that unsealing the records would cause “irreparable harm” to him or his family.
The push for transparency surrounding Gallego’s divorce has drawn attention not only because of his role as a public figure but also because of the way he has incorporated his personal life into his political narrative. During his time in office, Gallego has spoken about his divorce, using it to connect with voters and build a political backstory that highlights his resilience and dedication to public service.
However, the secrecy surrounding the details of the divorce has only added fuel to the fire, with many speculating that the contents of the records could contain damaging information. Kari Lake’s campaign has seized on this opportunity, suggesting that voters have a right to know what Gallego has been trying to keep hidden. “What is Ruben Gallego hiding?” Lake’s team has repeatedly asked in recent weeks, further stoking curiosity and concern among voters.
Gallego’s opponents, including Lake’s camp, argue that politicians should not be entitled to special privileges when it comes to transparency, especially when they hold or are seeking public office. Michael Edney, attorney for The Free Beacon, emphasized that the public has a heightened First Amendment interest in court records involving elected officials. “Congressman Gallego is not entitled to special privileges to secrecy in court records not afforded to other Arizona citizens,” Edney wrote.
With early voting already underway in Arizona, the timing of the unsealing could have a direct impact on the Senate race. The release of the records comes just as voters are beginning to cast their ballots, and any negative revelations could potentially shift public opinion in favor of Lake. The media and electorate are likely to scrutinize the details closely, and depending on the contents, Gallego’s lead in the polls could shrink.
As Gallego urges his supporters to turn in their ballots early, he faces the challenge of managing the fallout from these records. Whether the unsealed documents will contain damaging information remains to be seen, but their release could significantly influence the outcome of one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country.
