Divorce records for Arizona Democratic Senate candidate Ruben Gallego and his ex-wife, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, were made public after an Arizona court unsealed most of the seven-year-old case file. The records, however, offer little insight into the reasons behind the dissolution of their high-profile marriage, with no allegations of abuse or infidelity.
The Washington Free Beacon, a conservative news site, petitioned for the release of the records, which both Ruben and Kate Gallego opposed, citing concerns for their child's safety and privacy. The Arizona Supreme Court declined the Gallegos' request to keep the records private, leading to their unsealing.
Republican nominee Kari Lake has used the release of the records to attack Ruben Gallego's character, insinuating that there may be undisclosed details about the divorce. However, the divorce decree signed by both parties explicitly states that there was no domestic violence during the marriage.
In a joint statement, the Gallegos criticized Lake for sensationalizing their divorce and emphasized their commitment to their son's well-being. They demanded an apology from Lake for spreading misinformation about their family.
The divorce file outlines the shared parenting and custody plan for their son, born during the divorce proceedings, and the division of assets. Despite the public interest, the case was finalized without any contentious disputes over assets or custody.
The unsealing of the records revealed no significant revelations, with the presiding judge describing it as a routine divorce case. The breakup of the Gallego marriage in 2016, just before the birth of their child, had initially surprised the Arizona political community.
Both Gallegos have maintained that their separation is a private matter, with Ruben Gallego suggesting that his deployment to Iraq and subsequent post-traumatic stress disorder may have played a role. Kate Gallego endorsed her ex-husband's Senate campaign and continues to support him publicly.
The Gallegos' efforts to keep the records private were unsuccessful, with the Arizona Court of Appeals ordering their unsealing. The release of the records has been a focal point in Gallego's Senate campaign, with speculation surrounding the reasons for the divorce persisting.
