Rueben Gallego, one of Arizona’s Democratic Senators, was recently exposed to using campaign funds for personal travel, including a trip to Disneyland and Disney World.
Senator Gallego’s campaign finance records have come under scrutiny lately as personal entertainment expenditures have surfaced. Senator Gallego’s purchases include Super Bowl tickets and family trips to Disney World and Disneyland.
These spending habits came to light when Irie Sentern of Politico spoke with someone close to the campaign and who is familiar with his spending. The person revealed Senator Gallego’s luxurious lifestyle and how he was using corporate donations to fund it. (RELATED: Post-Debate Poll Shows Andy Biggs Holding Commanding Lead in Arizona GOP Governor’s Race)
The Super Bowl tickets were used to attend the game with disgraced former Congressman Eric Swalwell, who was forced to resign over sexual assault allegations. Senator Gallego and former Rep. Swalwell reportedly made a joint campaign committee called the “Swalwell Victory Fund” to purchase Super Bowl tickets.
These tickets reportedly cost up to around $34,000 and also spent over $2,000 on a luxury brunch. Senator Gallego also spent some of his money for childcare, spending $18,000 in campaign finances for childcare, including paying family members.
Senator Gellego established the “JUNTOS PAC” only a month after being sworn in, which he used to raise and spend money separate from his campaign. The PAC “retreats” at Disney World where Senator Gallego brought his wife, children and their au pair. They then made another trip to Disneyland with his wife and kids that FEC records show totaled nearly $1,500 in meals and hotels. (RELATED: Court Strikes Down Hobbs-Era Water Policy Amid Housing Affordability Concerns)
In Congress, Senator Gallego voted for the Laken Riley Act, however he has supported more support for asylum, and support for Dreamers and long-term undocumented immigrants. During the Russia and Ukraine crisis, Senator Gallego spoke out for the deportation of Russian students at American Universities. Despite being on a border state, his hypocrisy shows support for illegal immigrants and not legal students.
