Ruben Gallego

Ruben Gallego is a Democratic politician serving as a U.S. Senator from Arizona, having assumed office on January 3, 2025. Raised in Chicago by a single mother from Colombia and a father from Mexico, he was the first in his family to attend college, earning a bachelor's degree in international relations from Harvard University in 2004. Between 2002 and 2006, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps, deploying to Iraq as an infantryman with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, a unit that saw significant combat. Following his military service, he moved to Arizona and worked in public affairs before entering state politics. Gallego’s legislative career began in the Arizona House of Representatives, where he served from 2011 to 2014, including a term as assistant minority leader. In 2014, he was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Arizona’s 7th (later 3rd) congressional district, where he served five terms. During his time in the House, he became known for his advocacy for veterans, tribal rights, and national security, eventually chairing the Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee. In 2024, he successfully ran for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring Senator Kyrsten Sinema, defeating Republican Kari Lake to become Arizona’s first Latino U.S. Senator.

Gallego’s policy platform emphasizes a mix of progressive and pragmatic approaches tailored to Arizona's specific needs. On immigration, he supports a comprehensive overhaul that includes a pathway to citizenship for 'Dreamers' and spouses of U.S. citizens, while also advocating for increased border security, additional agents, and technology to combat fentanyl smuggling. Regarding the economy, he focuses on lowering costs for middle-class families and has supported legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act to promote clean energy union jobs and tackle inflation. He is a strong supporter of reproductive rights, pledging to protect abortion access at the federal level. An advocate for environmental protection, Gallego has earned high scores from conservation groups for his work to preserve public lands and address Arizona’s water scarcity issues. In foreign policy and national security, he draws on his experience as a Marine veteran to support strong defense spending and international alliances; he has been a vocal proponent of aiding Ukraine against Russian aggression and maintaining a competitive posture toward China and Iran. Additionally, he has consistently focused on improving healthcare for veterans and expanding access to affordable medical services for all constituents.