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Posted on 06/22/2026 5:36:12 PM PDT by Red Badger
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) faces accusations of using campaign funds for several lavish expenditures, including Disneyland, Disney World, and the Super Bowl.
“Sen. Ruben Gallego repeatedly used campaign cash to fund luxury outings with his wife and to care for his children since launching his campaign for Senate in 2023, including attending the Super Bowl using a joint campaign account with Eric Swalwell,” POLITICO reporter Irie Sentner writes.
More from The Daily Beast:
The Arizona lawmaker used political action committee funds to pay for trips and more than $18,000 in child care since 2019, Politico reported Sunday.
“He just spends his campaign account like it’s his personal slush fund,” one source told the outlet. “He’s using campaign cash to live a luxury lifestyle.”
Members of Gallego’s inner circle have expressed concern over his spending on behalf of his wife and children under the guise of fundraising and campaign events, according to Politico—especially as he eyes a potential 2028 presidential bid.
In February 2023, Gallego and the now-disgraced former U.S. Congressman Eric Swalwell established a joint committee to raise money. The committee spent $2,715 at The Henry, a luxury brunch restaurant in Phoenix, as well as $34,700 on Super Bowl tickets, according to Federal Election Commission records.
“Let me clear the air on some of these stories swirling around. The FEC has stated that childcare may be reimbursed. There is a simple reason: we want Congress to look like America. Not just people without children, those with grown children, or those from wealthy backgrounds. It is no news that I am a father of 3 young children and have a blended family. In fact, I’m one of the few members of Congress with young children. And it is no secret that, as part of being a senator, I have to fundraise. It’s the nature of politics, and it is a topic of much debate. But nonetheless, it’s part of the job,” Gallego said.
“Because I’m not a millionaire (I’m one of the least wealthy members of Congress), every month is a game of childcare, travel, and scheduling balancing. I’m not special—it’s what millions of Americans who don’t have the advantages of serving in Congress deal with every day. Most have it even harder than I do. And because of my schedule and the laws passed that allow for it, I will at times bring my wife and children with me to these retreats and fundraisers. Are these at nice venues? Yes, it’s where the donors are, and it’s part of campaigning. I know people have opinions on that, but that’s the nature of the campaign system we have in our country,” he continued.
“So these pieces swirling around are accusing me of this: fundraising as all politicians do, but doing it as the father of children under 10. That’s it,” he added.
The National News Desk shared further:
The first-term lawmaker has tapped his leadership PAC, a committee separate from his main campaign group, to fly to Miami and the Caribbean island of St. Barts, as well as for babysitting, according to The Daily Beast. The outlet reviewed campaign finance records for its story published earlier this month, which Politico referenced in a Sunday follow-up.
Gallego reportedly tapped his “JUNTOS PAC,” created shortly after he was sworn in last year, for a February 2025 stay at a Miami Beach hotel. The four-night stay cost more than $9,000, according to The Daily Beast.
The trip included a birthday celebration for the senator’s wife, Sydney Gallego, as well as several political events. A person familiar with the expenses told the outlet the extended weekend was primarily for partying.
“The rules are not robust enough to really prevent office holders from essentially using their campaign funds or funds in their leadership PAC to pay for a trip of this kind,” said Saurav Ghosh, director of the Campaign Legal Center’s financial reform team. “At a common sense level, we can all agree that it probably looks unethical, probably a terrible look from an optics standpoint, but strictly as a legal matter, it’s very difficult to point to a situation like this and say that it’s a clear legal violation.”
Gallego hasn’t returned The National News Desk’s request for comment and didn’t address the birthday celebration when reached by Politico.
The senator’s team has generally described his trips, including the one to St. Barts, as fundraising-focused flings. He and Sydney flew to the island this past March to celebrate the birthday of her boss, Carlos Zaffirini, according to The Daily Beast. The consulting executive has reportedly donated thousands to Gallego and other political figures.
Gallego pulled a couple thousands from “JUNTOS PAC” for the trip’s flights, The Daily Beast noted.
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He’ll get away with it unless you think censorship means something.
Didn’t take him long to learn the ropes did it?...............
The socialist bartender illegally used campaign funds to pay for a ketamine shrink. One day story.
“At a common sense level, we can all agree that it probably looks unethical, probably a terrible look from an optics standpoint, but strictly as a legal matter, it’s very difficult to point to a situation like this and say that it’s a clear legal violation.”
That POS stole his election from Kari Lake. You’ll never convince me otherwise.
Trump retaliation.
Gallego was Swalwell’s buddy....
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