Appeals Court Grants Public Access to Gallegos’ Divorce Records

The Arizona Court of Appeals has ruled that the divorce records of Congressman Ruben Gallego and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego should be unsealed, following a decision made on Thursday. This ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by the Washington Free Beacon, a conservative news outlet, which sought access to the records since Gallego has publicly discussed aspects of his divorce.

The Beacon initiated the legal proceedings earlier this year, arguing that the public had the right to fact-check Gallego’s statements regarding his divorce. The records in question pertain to the couple’s 2017 divorce proceedings held in Yavapai County Superior Court, coinciding with Gallego’s campaign for the U.S. Senate—a seat being vacated by Kyrsten Sinema.

In 2016, the court sealed the couple’s records at their request, determining that their privacy concerns outweighed public interest. Despite the couple’s current status as political allies, they suggested that the court release a redacted version to protect sensitive personal details, especially regarding their minor child and financial information.

While the court approved some redactions, it denied others, prompting the Gallegos to appeal. The appeals court supported the earlier decision, emphasizing that the couple failed to demonstrate new reasons to keep the documents sealed. Judge Brian Furuya stated, “They did not meet that burden.”

Ruben and Kate Gallego married in 2010 but separated in late 2016 when Ruben filed for divorce shortly before their first child was born. The divorce was finalized in 2017, and Ruben later remarried in 2021.

Ruben’s Senate opponent, Kari Lake, has made the divorce a focal point of her campaign, criticizing him for leaving Kate during her pregnancy. Despite her claims of being uninvolved in the Beacon’s lawsuit, her political rhetoric continues to emphasize this personal aspect. Recently, she posted on social media highlighting the timeline of their separation.

On the other hand, both Gallegos have publicly condemned Lake’s tactics, stating that the political debate should not compromise their child’s wellbeing. They accused Lake of exploiting personal issues for political gain.

In March 2023, Gallego disclosed that factors such as PTSD from his military service had influenced his marital struggles. He expressed remorse over his behavior during that challenging period.

The Court of Appeals’ decision arrived just a day after the only scheduled debate between Gallego and Lake, amidst early voting in Arizona. Polls indicate that Gallego is currently leading Lake by several points, highlighting the contentious nature of the race.

While Gallego addressed the media briefly post-debate, Lake chose not to attend. Instead, she sent key figures from her campaign to voice their criticisms regarding the sealed records. This ongoing situation reflects the high stakes and personal narratives intertwining in Arizona’s political landscape.