Appeals Court Orders Unsealing of Senate Candidate Ruben Gallego’s Divorce Records

By Staff Reporter |

The Arizona Court of Appeals has mandated the unsealing of divorce records involving Ruben Gallego, a Senate candidate and current congressman, and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. This ruling follows a lawsuit filed by the Washington Free Beacon, a right-leaning media organization, seeking access to the documents.

On Thursday, Presiding Judge Brian Furuya issued a memorandum decision stating that it is the responsibility of the Gallegos to prove why the records should remain sealed. The judge dismissed their argument concerning references to their son within the records, asserting that redactions sufficient to protect the child’s interests were adequate.

“The State of Arizona presumes court records are public,” Judge Furuya noted. He emphasized that the opposing party must demonstrate overwhelming reasons for keeping records sealed. The Yavapai Superior Court echoed this perspective, declaring the initial sealing order improper and instructing the Gallegos to submit appropriate redaction requests, which they later contested.

Furuya affirmed the superior court’s decision, stating, “Upon review, we hold the court properly exercised its discretion by narrowly tailoring what is to be withheld from public view for those legitimate purposes.”

Ruben Gallego initiated divorce proceedings in 2016 when Kate was nine months pregnant. Their divorce finalized a year later, shortly after the birth of their son. In a previous interview with the Washington Post, Gallego attributed the marriage’s breakdown to PTSD stemming from his military service in Iraq, which he linked to excessive drinking, mood swings, and emotional challenges exacerbated by personal pressures.

The Washington Free Beacon argues that Gallego’s Senate campaign raises the need for full transparency regarding his past, referencing his comments about “extreme outbursts” and questioning whether this may relate to violent behavior. The publication stated, “The people of Arizona deserve to know the man who is getting down on one knee before they accept his proposal.”

Additionally, the Beacon highlighted that neither Gallego resided in the county where the divorce was filed, raising potential legal questions regarding jurisdiction. The report also mentioned Gallego’s marriage to lobbyist Sydney Barron in 2019, which he publicly characterized differently in 2021.

As Ruben Gallego competes against Republican candidate Kari Lake, the focus on personal background adds a significant layer to the unfolding political narrative.