Arizona leaders from both the Democratic and Republican parties reacted to the announcement that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will join Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid to take the presidency in 2024. After being appointed the Democratic nominee in an irregular process disregarding the primary election, but prior to a largely ceremonial Democratic Convention, Harris announced Tuesday that Walz would join her as Vice Presidential nominee. Democrats in the state appeared to be largely toeing the party line with supportive statements, despite the very public snub of VP hopeful Sen. Mark Kelly. Republicans expressed concern that Walz will serve to radicalize the Democratic ticket further to the left.
As reported by AZ Capitol Times, Governor Katie Hobbs hailed the nomination saying she was “absolutely thrilled” about it. “I’ve had the chance to work with him directly on many issues and have seen first-hand his dedication to the American people,” she added, referring to her work with her fellow Democrat Governor. “I know the governors know what it takes to deliver for their states,” Hobbs told reporters. “And I am confident Gov. Walz and Vice President Harris will deliver for Arizona.”
Speaking to AZ Central, the normally rigid Hobbs uncharacteristically gushed at Walz, one of her few gubernatorial colleagues widely judged as more radically left, “Oh my gosh, you should have been in my house and heard my scream when I saw the news this morning. I’m absolutely thrilled that Vice President Harris has chosen him to be her running mate.”
In a post to X, Sen. Kelly, one of Walz’s chief rivals for the post wrote, “Vice President @KamalaHarris and Governor @Tim_Walz are going to move us forward. They’re already building a campaign to unite our country — and @GabbyGiffords and I are ready to do everything we can to help them win.”
Vice President @KamalaHarris and Governor @Tim_Walz are going to move us forward. They’re already building a campaign to unite our country — and @GabbyGiffords and I are ready to do everything we can to help them win.
Democrat Congressman and Senate nominee Ruben Gallego wrote a post to X, emphasizing Walz’s military service, which has come under heavy scrutiny with accusations that the Governor retired early, mid-training to avoid serving in Iraq, and losing his conditional rank as Command Sergeant Major.
Here is an official statement by CSM Thomas Behrends, who stepped up into the position that Tim Walz bailed from prior to the deployment. pic.twitter.com/wlPpZPWjM0
Gallego wrote that Walz, “served our country for 24 years as a National Guardsman. Serving together in the House, I saw firsthand how he’s willing to work with anyone to fight for our kids, our veterans, and our future — and our country is better off because of it. He’s a good man and will continue to serve our country well.”
.@tim_walz served our country for 24 years as a National Guardsman. Serving together in the House, I saw firsthand how he’s willing to work with anyone to fight for our kids, our veterans, and our future — and our country is better off because of it.
“We are incredibly excited to vote the Harris-Walz ticket into the White House this November,” Arizona Democratic Party Chairwoman Yolanda Bejarano offered in a written statement, “Both Vice President Harris and Governor Walz have a strong record of delivering results on the issues that Arizonans care most about– protecting abortion rights, helping working families get ahead, and protecting our democracy.”
Arizona Republicans took a decidedly different and far more concerned view of Walz, citing his heavily criticized lack of response to the 2020 BLM riots in Minneapolis as well as his radical-left policies. Republican Senate nominee Kari Lake shared images of Minneapolis burning and wrote, “While violent mobs were burning down American cities like Minneapolis, @Tim_Walz was cheering them on @KamalaHarris was bailing them out @RubenGallego was marching with them Radicals.”
While violent mobs were burning down American cities like Minneapolis,@Tim_Walz was cheering them on@KamalaHarris was bailing them out@RubenGallego was marching with them
Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ5) expressed similar concerns writing, “Tim Walz let his state burn, and Kamala raised money to bail these criminals out of jail. This is the America that the radical Left wants.”
Tim Walz let his state burn, and Kamala raised money to bail these criminals out of jail.
Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ2), himself a veteran Navy SEAL sniper, shared a post to X citing a New York Post article exploring the allegation of stolen valor against Walz. According to the report, retired Command Sergeants Major Thomas Behrends and Paul Herr wrote, “On May 16th, 2005, [Walz] quit, betraying his country, leaving the 1-125th Field Artillery Battalion and its Soldiers hanging; without its senior Non-Commissioned Officer, as the battalion prepared for war,” in a letter first revealed by The Daily Wire.
The Republican Party of Arizona presented a damning record of Tim Walz in a post to X writing, “THE RADICAL RECORD OF TIM WALZ”:
Hesitated to deploy the National Guard during the 2020 riots, letting Minneapolis burn
Supports sanctuary cities and states, weakening our border security
Wants taxpayer dollars to fund health care and college for illegal immigrants
Advocates for universal health care and higher taxes on hardworking Americans
Defends the right to abortion on demand up until the moment of birth
Opposes voter ID laws, undermining election integrity
Admitted his “white privilege” and sympathized with vandals who tore down historic statues
Wants to phase out fossil fuels and impose strict emissions standards, harming our economy
Cozied up to China throughout his career, praising their “spectacular” modernization
Faced DUI charges and misrepresented his military rank
The AZGOP concluded, “Tim Walz is DANGEROUS for America. We can’t afford to let the far-left policies of the Harris-Walz ticket destroy our country.”
Democratic Senate candidate and Congressman Ruben Gallego has flipped his stance on voting rights for illegal migrants.
The congressman recently introduced legislation to clarify the illegality of non-citizen voting in federal elections. Yet last year, Gallego voted against a bill that similarly condemned non-citizen voting.
That D.C. act allowed noncitizens, mainly illegal immigrants, to vote in elections. It became law last February for a time, but the House quickly voted to cancel it.
Gallego’s newest bill, the Voting Clarity Act, serves as an advisory to illegal immigrants. The brief legislation is a mandate for Customs and Border Protection to inform illegal immigrants of federal law: that only citizens may vote in federal elections.
“The Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide information to each alien applying for asylum under this section on the restrictions on voting and the penalties for voting unlawfully under Federal law, including under section 611 of title 18, United States Code, at the time of such application. Information under this paragraph shall be provided in a form and language that the alien can understand.”
Violation of voting law would incur a fine and/or up to one year in prison.
In a press release, Gallego said that the privilege of U.S. citizenship, voting, shouldn’t be extended to noncitizens.
“That is why it is critical that those seeking to enter the U.S. are told clearly and upfront that they cannot vote in our elections if they are not citizens,” said Gallego. “I’m proud to introduce this commonsense bill to combat misinformation about who can, and cannot vote in our federal elections.”
Gallego’s legislation portrays the Senate candidate as tough but fair on the hot topic of the border. Last week, Gallego issued an ad featuring the sheriff who denied the border crisis and rejected Arizona National Guard assistance for his county in doing so, Santa Cruz County Sheriff David Hathaway.
Every day at the border is a challenge.
I’m fighting for bipartisan solutions. Better technology. More manpower.
Hathaway has downplayed the severity of the state of the border.
“We don’t have a migrant crisis on the border. We do not need to militarize our counties and have troops come to the border,” said Hathaway. “We have certain, very vocal sheriffs in this state who are trying to fan the flames on a supposed crisis.”
Arizona border sheriff @JamesDavidHath1 has experienced the crisis at our border firsthand.
That’s why he knows we need leaders that put people over politics.
Sheriff, I’m grateful for your support and look forward to working together to find solutions for our border… pic.twitter.com/5ZJ1FM6P5v
Conversely, Gallego has admitted that the state of the border constitutes a crisis.
AZ is on the front line of the border crisis. But when I asked FEMA – which administers one of the main migrant programs – to visit AZ's border, they claimed it isn’t their “mission space.”
The National Republican Senatorial Committee issued a statement claiming the Voting Clarity Act was just a way to “pander” to Arizonans.
“Ruben Gallego has been rubber-stamping the far left’s most radical, open border policies for his entire career in Washington,” said the NRSC. “His election year pandering is a slap in the face to Arizonans who are facing the brunt of the border crisis Gallego helped create.”
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New internal polling from the National Republican Senate Committee announced by Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake’s campaign shows that Lake now leads Democrat Congressman Ruben Gallego by one-point in the narrow race. The survey further demonstrated that the contentious race for President between former President Donald Trump and Democrat incumbent President Joe Biden is casting a large shadow over the down-ballot races.
An NRSC Memo obtained by The Washington Post regarding the poll stated, “In the multi-party ballot for the presidential race, President Trump leads Joe Biden by a significant margin of +11 (46% to 34%) among likely votes. This trend is crucial as it demonstrates a strong Republican presence in Arizona, which can positively influence down-ballot races like the Senate contest.” The NRSC also endorsed Kari Lake in February as reported by Politico; she also enjoys the endorsement of former President Donald Trump.
A press release from Lake’s campaign noted that among undecided voters, Trump holds a 7% lead over Biden which bodes well for Lake.
NRSC memo on Arizona Senate race: The latest NRSC survey shows Kari Lake leading Ruben Gallego by one point, 47% to 46%, among likely voters —aligning with another recent poll on the race. Trump’s standing in Arizona could help down-ballot candidates like Lake. pic.twitter.com/dUsYCJ3Ekx
— Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (@yvonnewingett) June 20, 2024
The NRSC concluded that while the race is still “a pure toss up,” Lake is “well positioned to win.” The memo explained, “The undecided voting block presents a significant opportunity to further define Ruben Gallego and attract more support for Lake. Given the unfavorable views of President Biden among undecided voters, Lake has a pathway to consolidate and expand her base.”
The Lake campaign released a statement along with the announcement saying, “Arizonans overwhelmingly disapprove of Joe Biden’s performance. Soon, Arizonans will learn just how closely Ruben Gallego is tied to Joe Biden and his radical policies – voting with him 100% of the time – and they won’t approve of his record either. Kari Lake is ready to get to the U.S. Senate to help President Trump implement the policies that provided Arizonans, and Americans as a whole, with historic peace and prosperity.”
The Lake campaign notes that the NRSC result aligns with credible pollsters citing “the bipartisan AARP Poll conducted by President Trump and Joe Biden’s pollster.” It would appear to diverge from many mainstream polls which have shown Lake trailing Gallego from 3-6 points since early June, according to RealClear Politics. The AARP poll which showed Gallego ahead by 3 points found in part, “One reason Gallego is ahead is Democrats are more consolidated in their backing of him than Republicans are behind Lake. Additionally, Independents, who favored Trump by 6-points, give Gallego an 8-point edge.”
The NRSC poll by contrast could indicate that Lake is succeeding in consolidating her base.
Democratic congressman and Senate candidate Ruben Gallego recently held a fundraiser in California with Hollywood elites, a move punctuating his continued reliance on out-of-state donors to bankroll his campaign.
Deadline first reported that Gallego had his fundraising event at the home of political strategist Donna Bojarsky, with major guests including Leslie Gilbert-Lurie, author and former TV executive and member of the Cal State University board of trustees; Christy Callahan, former creative executive and TV writer; former Rep. Howard Berman; actress and dancer Stephani Sosa; Flame Ventures’ Tony Krantz; and attorney and former Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel.
According to OpenSecrets, over 75 percent of Gallego’s funds come from outside Arizona: nearly $11.7 million, compared to just over $4.8 million from Arizona.
A majority of the millions from Arizona came from the Phoenix-Mesa area (over $2 million) and Tucson (over $1 million).
Aside from Arizona, the other top four individual states to contribute to Gallego’s campaign were: California at $3.5 million, New York at $1.4 million, Massachusetts at $911,000, and Texas at $812,000.
Top out-of-state metro areas were New York ($915,000), Los Angeles-Long Beach ($731,000), and Washington, D.C. ($726,000).
In March, Gallego attended another Democratic mega-fundraiser out of state, that time in New York City. His presence was marked by George Soros’ son and now-leader of the Democratic dark money empire, Alex, in an Instagram post, where Gallego and Alex stood alongside the famed playwright who played co-host to the fundraiser, Lin-Manuel Miranda.
“Kicking off campaign season with my co-host [Lin Manuel] for congressman Ruben Gallego’s Senate run in Arizona,” wrote the young Soros. “Ruben has an impressive life story and the stakes of this year’s election couldn’t be higher, they’re existential.”
The Soros family has given over $13,000 to Gallego’s campaign.
According to the FEC’s latest data through March, Gallego’s top Arizona donors include Nathan Sandler, an investor out of Paradise Valley; Donald Martin, chairman of Competitive Engineering out of Tucson; William Lewis, an investor out of Phoenix; Charlotte Hwang, president of Competitive Engineering out of Tucson; Timothy Riester, chief executive and owner of Riester Advertising out of Phoenix; Francis Najafi, CEO of Pivotal Group out of Phoenix and his wife, Cheryl; Gene Banucci out of Scottsdale; James O’Keefe, a consultant out of Scottsdale; William Cook out of Phoenix; Donalyn Mikles out of Sedona; James Pederson with the Pederson Group out of Phoenix; Jim Mapstead with Accurate Signs & Engraving out of Phoenix; William Humphreys a rancher out of Tucson; Subhash Thathi out of Mesa; Gilbert Lara out of Prescott; Kathleen Counihan, a gallery owner out of Tucson; Nieves Riedel with Riedel Construction Company out of San Luis; Kent Heath, vice president of Bruker out of Scottsdale; Phyllis Banucci out of Scottsdale; Karl Obergh, president/CEO of Ritoch-Powell out of Phoenix; Christina Isner out of Scottsdale; Pamela Powers, a physician out of Prescott; Stephen Golden out of Tucson; Pat Deconcini with 4-D Properties out of Tucson; David Young with Trifecta Clinical out of Tucson; Pamela Werth out of Scottsdale; and Reuben Merideth, a veterinarian out of Tucson.
Among Gallego’s top individual out-of-state donors as of March were Arthur (Art) Lipson, an investor out of Utah, Ronald (Ron) Conway, an investor out of California; Rogelio Sosa, the CEO of OURO out of Texas; David Trone, a Democratic congressman out of Maryland, and his wife, June; Vincent Ryan, multimillionaire chairman of Schooner Capital out of Massachusetts, and his wife, Carla Meyer; Ken Olum, professor of Tufts University out of Massachusetts; Molly Munger, a California attorney; Charles Mostov, a California attorney; Roger McNamee, an investor and retired venture capitalist out of California; Anthony Maceira and Andres Guillemard, Puerto Rican lawyers; Anne Lovett out of New Hampshire; George Krupp, co-founder and CEO of Berkshire Property Advisors out of Massachusetts; Chris Hughes, senior fellow at the Institute on Race, Power And Political Economy in New York; Mitzi Henderson, former president of PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) National; Robert Haselow, a doctor with Minneapolis Radiation Oncology out of Minnesota, and his wife, Justine; Stephen English, a retired attorney out of California; Joseph Cotchett Jr., a California attorney; Sundae and Mark Breen out of Connecticut; Joseph Albright, a retired journalist out of Wyoming and husband to the late Madeleine Albright, the first female Secretary of State; and Oscar Ramirez, government relations personnel with Fulcrum Public Affairs out of Washington, D.C.
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Democratic Congressman and Senate candidate Ruben Gallego was characterized as having “walked out” on his wife and unborn child in a new attack ad from GOP forces.
The ad, created by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), said Gallego left his former wife, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, for a “D.C. lobbyist”: his current wife, Sydney Barron, a lobbyist for the National Association of Realtors.
“If deadbeat dad Ruben Gallego would abandon his own family, he won’t be there for Arizonans when it matters most,” stated the ad.
A press release accompanying the attack ad pointed out that Gallego continues to champion women’s rights and prioritizing women on issues like abortion and higher pay, yet walked away from the closest woman in his life.
I grew up in a house with four strong, independent Latinas. They made me the man I am today.
To the women who made their impact and the ones paving the way for generations, this #WomensHistoryMonth, we celebrate you!
NRSC spokesman Tate Mitchell emphasized the timing of the Gallegos’ divorce as a disqualifier for Gallego serving in the Senate.
“Arizona women can’t trust a man who divorced his wife when she was weeks away from having their child,” said Mitchell.
Gallego once believed that divorce wasn’t an option, writing in a 2012 Twitter post that his Catholicism prevented him from ever seeking it. It’s unclear what changed for Gallego in the span of a few short years.
“I am Catholic [and] don’t believe in divorce,” said Gallego.
I am Catholic don't believe in divorce. Sorry Pakistan you are stuck with me #debate
Gallego and Barron didn’t begin dating until several years after the divorce. The pair wed in 2021.
Ruben and Kate were married from 2010, the year Gallego joined Congress, to 2017, when Kate was still part of the city council. The pair divorced shortly before the birth of their son, Michael.
Kate became mayor of Phoenix in 2018, after then-Mayor Greg Stanton announced his run for Congress.
According to Gallego, he met Barron in 2018. Gallego and his second wife welcomed their first child, a daughter named Isla, into the world last July.
Five years ago, I met Sydney at the Congressional baseball game, and now we’re getting ready to welcome our daughter into the world any day.
The Phoenix mayor doesn’t publicly appear to hold hard feelings against her ex-husband. She endorsed him last December.
“I’m proud to endorse Ruben because I know first-hand his commitment to building a brighter future for Arizona,” said the mayor. “We have real challenges facing our state that require a leader who is dedicated to fighting for working families and the most vulnerable. He’ll do an excellent job working for all of us as our next senator.”
However, Gallego has excluded the mayor’s endorsement from his official endorsement page. The only Phoenix official he’s featured under his lengthy list of Arizona official endorsements is former vice mayor Yassamin Ansari, who is now running for Congress.
The GOP attack line on Gallego’s love life and fatherhood record wasn’t a new concept rolled out recently. The NRSC released a similar ad last November with the characterization of Gallego as a “deadbeat dad.”
.@RubenGallego abandoned his wife when she was nearly 9 months pregnant, then married a DC lobbyist. @kyrstensinema is a liberal Democrat.
Gallego has posted about his son from his personal, now campaign account nearly every single month last year, with a sporadic array of posts in the years prior.
Becoming a dad was the best thing that ever happened to me. Michael brought me strength, humility, and so much love. Just a few weeks until i’m a dad of two.
