Political strategist Caroline Wren has publicly questioned Representative Ruben Gallego's expressed "shock" regarding allegations against his "best friend" Eric Swalwell, drawing attention to Gallego's 2016 divorce filing. Wren's commentary, shared via a tweet, suggested skepticism about Gallego's surprise, referencing his own past personal conduct. The tweet stated, "If you actually believe that Ruben Gallego (who served his unsuspecting wife divorce papers when she was 9 months pregnant) is “shocked” by the “double life” of his best friend Eric Swalwell, then I have some beachfront property in Phoenix to sell you..."
The resurfacing of Gallego's divorce history comes as Representative Eric Swalwell recently resigned from Congress following multiple sexual misconduct allegations. Swalwell, a California Democrat, faced accusations from several women, including a former staffer who alleged sexual assault. He suspended his gubernatorial campaign and announced his resignation amid mounting pressure and a criminal investigation initiated by the Manhattan district attorney's office.
Ruben Gallego, an Arizona Democrat, initially defended Swalwell on social media but later reversed course, stating he was "shocked" by the revelations. In an interview with The New York Times, Gallego remarked, "It’s like he was leading a double life," adding that he and his family were surprised. This statement prompted criticism from figures like Wren, who serves as a senior advisor to Kari Lake, a prominent Republican.
Records unsealed in 2024 revealed that Gallego filed for divorce from his then-wife, Kate Gallego, in December 2016. At the time of the filing, Kate Gallego, now the Mayor of Phoenix, was "likely to give birth any day," according to court documents obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. The unsealing of these records followed a protracted legal battle, with both Ruben and Kate Gallego initially seeking to keep the details private.
The divorce proceedings, which concluded in April 2017, also showed Gallego's initial request for his then-wife to cover his attorney's fees, a detail that has been highlighted by his political opponents. Caroline Wren previously commented on these revelations, stating, "If Ruben Gallego will turn his back on his pregnant wife days before she gives birth, he will turn his back on the women of Arizona," according to an NRSC press release. The renewed focus on Gallego's past personal life underscores the intense scrutiny faced by public figures amidst political controversies.
