Ruben Gallego to Become Arizona’s Next US Senator, Replacing Sinema

US Rep. Ruben Gallego will become Arizona’s next US Senator.

Gallego, a US Marine veteran and current US House member, will replace Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who chose not to seek reelection following a controversial term.

Once a Republican stronghold, Arizona’s senate seat has been a win for Democrats since 2018. Both seats remain under Democratic control until 2028, when US Sen. Mark Kelly’s term ends.

Gallego’s victory is another setback for Kari Lake. The Republican Senate candidate lost her 2022 governor bid and refused to concede. Her final lawsuit to overturn the 2022 loss was rejected by the Arizona Supreme Court post-2024 election.

Gallego and Lake clashed on key issues: Gallego backed Proposition 139 to restore abortion access, while Lake urged sheriffs to enforce an old abortion ban. On the US-Mexico border, Gallego proposed more funding for asylum processing, while Lake advocated for a border wall.

Born to immigrant parents from Mexico and Colombia, Gallego was raised in Chicago by his mother after his father’s imprisonment. He joined the US Marine Reserves during a break from Harvard, where he faced academic challenges. In his book, “They Called Us Lucky,” he shared his struggles and eventual return.

Gallego fought in Iraq in 2005, enduring heavy losses, including his best friend’s death. Afterward, he grappled with PTSD. He relocated to Arizona to join his then-girlfriend, active in Democratic politics. They married in 2010, divorced in 2017, and his ex-wife, Kate Gallego, is Phoenix’s mayor.

Elected to the state Legislature in 2010, Gallego served alongside Sinema. In 2014, he won a fierce congressional primary, defeating a key Phoenix Latino leader. He is vacating a secure Democratic seat, representing diverse communities in Phoenix.

In Congress, Gallego has prioritized veterans and military issues, vowing to continue advocacy as a Senator.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.