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Ruben Gallego on Principles & Values

 

 


I am lucky to be born in the best country in this world

Gallego: I am a very lucky man. I am lucky to be born in the best country in this world, and by all accounts I should not be here. My mom raised us alone, and through a real belief in the American dream and a real want to succeed I got where I am. And my sisters. we have doctors, we have teachers, we have businesswomen in our small family. I want every Arizonan to fulfill that.

Lake: No matter what color your skin, what neighborhood you are from, we went to make sure we have a strong economy. We want to fully fund our police. On day one we will get to secure the border, we will get the criminals who invaded our country out, and we will bring back that strong, thriving economy. If there's any kids watching, I don't want you to worry. I want you to dream big. We are going to turn this country around and your American dream will become reality.

Source: C-Span transcript excerpts of 2024 Arizona Senate debate , Oct 9, 2024

America can be a responsible leader on the world stage

Ruben knows that our adversaries, including China, Russia, and Iran, are trying every day to threaten the safety of Arizona families. But as Ruben has said throughout Russia's invasion of Ukraine, America has what it takes to be a responsible leader on the world stage and stand up to enemies of democracy. Through Arizona's military communities, innovative manufacturing, world-class universities, and our people, he believes that Arizona can be at the forefront of that mission.
Source: 2024 Arizona Senate campaign website GallegoForArizona.com , Apr 3, 2023

Wore gas mask in Congress when tear gas deployed on Jan. 6

[On preparing to deploy tear-gas on Jan. 6]: "When you put on the hood," former Marine Ruben Gallego shouted, "breathe slowly." Ruben was standing behind me, and he could see the panic spreading from member to member. "Take slow, steady breaths. Your impulse will be to hyperventilate, but you need to breathe slowly." This was very helpful advice.

These hoods didn't resemble the gas masks you see police wearing during a riot; instead, they were a large polyethylene bag that you pulled over your head, with a small motor attached to circulate and filter the air.

I have a bit of claustrophobia, and the idea of pulling a bag over my head already had my pulse quickening. I resolved to wait until the last moment before I had to don the thing, since I wasn't smelling tear gas, not yet. "Breathe slowly when you put it on," Ruben intoned again, "or you will pass out. That is how people can die from wearing these." Okay, that wasn't so helpful.

Source: Midnight in Washington, by Adam Schiff, p. 4, (on Jan. 6) , Oct 12, 2021

Changed name in 2008 to add mother's surname

An opponent's supporter challenged Gallego's nominating petitions for not using his legal name. The suit was withdrawn when Gallego explained had changed his name in 2008 from Ruben Marinelarena (his father's name), to Ruben Marinelarena Gallego to honor the mother who raised him. He combined social media presence with aggressive door-to-door campaigning, and out-raised his opponent by $300,000.
Source: Almanac of American Politics on 2020 AZ-7 House race , Oct 5, 2015

Catholicism taught him to help the poor and disadvantaged

For Gallego, Catholicism instilled in him a deep belief that he is to help the poor and disadvantaged members of society, which he said has played a role in sculpting his political career. "Those are two areas where … the Catholic Church are diametrically opposed to where I stand," said Gallego, who is pro-choice on the question of abortion and who supports same-sex marriage.
Source: Cronkite News on 2024 Arizona Senate race , Sep 23, 2015

Child of Hispanic immigrants; speaks Spanish

I'm the child of Hispanic immigrants. I was raised by a single mother on the South Side of Chicago and had to work to help the family, including my time at a meatpacking plant where I received an extra dollar an hour because I spoke English and Spanish. I got my shot at the American Dream through education and military service. I studied hard and was the first in my family to go to college, getting into Harvard. I struggled to fit in at Harvard; I felt more at home when I joined the Marine Corps.
Source: 2014 Arizona House campaign website, GallegoForArizona.com , May 31, 2014

Question Trump on Emoluments clause.

Gallego signed questioning Trump on Emoluments clause

Excerpts from Letter from 17 Senators to Trump Organization: The Trump Organization`s continuing financial relationship with President Trump raises concerns about whether it is a pass-through for income that violates the Constitution`s two Emoluments Clauses: Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 on foreign Emoluments; and Article II, Clause 7 on domestic Emoluments. Please answer the following questions to help Congress understand:

Legal Analysis: (Cato Institute, `Emoluments Clause vs. Trump Empire,` 11/29/16): The wording of the Emoluments clause points one way to resolution: Congress can give consent, as it did in the early years of the Republic to presents received by Ben Franklin. It can decide what it is willing to live with in the way of Trump conflicts. If it misjudges public opinion, it will pay a political price at the next election.

FOIA argument: (ACLU Center for Democracy, `FOIA Request,` 1/19/17): We filed our first Freedom of Information Act request of the Trump Era, seeking documents relating President Trump`s conflicts of interest relating to his business connections. When Trump took the oath of office, he didn`t take the steps necessary to ensure that he and his family`s business interests comply with the Constitution. Some have even argued that upon taking the oath of office, the new president is already violating the Emoluments Clause.

Source: Letter from 17 Senators 17LTR-EMOL on May 18, 2017

Certify 2020 Presidential election as fully & fairly counted.

Gallego voted NAY blocking certification of the Electoral vote

Explanation of 1/6/21 Electoral Certification, by Emily Brooks, Washington Examiner:Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Paul Gosar led an objection to counting Electoral College votes from the state of Arizona, the first formal objection to state results in a series of moves that will delay the certification of Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election over President Trump. Cruz is advocating for an `emergency 10-day audit` of election returns in disputed states. The usually ceremonial joint session of Congress that convenes to count and accept Electoral College votes will be put on hold as the House and Senate separately debate the objection.