Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ruben Gallego

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 31, 2026

How Ruben Gallego built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Rubén Marinelarena Gallego is an American politician currently serving as the junior United States senator from Arizona since 2025. As a member of the Democratic Party, Gallego previously served as a U.S. Representative for Arizona from 2015 to 2025. Prior to his time in Congress, he was a member of the Arizona House of Representatives from 2011 to 2014. His career has been dedicated to public service in the state of Arizona at both the state and federal levels.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2002: Joined the Marines

In 2002, Ruben Gallego joined the Marines.

January 2006: End of deployment

Ruben Gallego ended his deployment as a Marine in January 2006. He served as a lance corporal during his deployment.

2007: Led Michael Nowakowski's Campaign

In 2007, Gallego led Michael Nowakowski's successful campaign for District 7 Phoenix City Council.

2009: Stepped down as chief of staff

In 2009, Gallego stepped down as chief of staff to focus on his campaign for the Arizona State House.

2010: Won Arizona State House seat

In 2010, Gallego won his campaign for the Arizona State House in District 16.

2011: Arizona House of Representatives

In 2011, Ruben Gallego became a member of the Arizona House of Representatives.

2011: Distinguished Freshman Lawmaker

In 2011, The Arizona Republic named Gallego a distinguished freshman lawmaker. He successfully passed a bill granting in-state tuition status to veterans residing in Arizona and also supported the repeal of Arizona SB 1070.

2012: Elected assistant minority leader

In 2012, Gallego was elected assistant minority leader.

February 27, 2014: Announced Candidacy for Congress

On February 27, 2014, Gallego announced his candidacy for Congress in Arizona's 7th congressional district.

March 2014: Resigned from Arizona House

In March 2014, Gallego resigned from the Arizona House.

2014: Elected to Congress

In 2014, Gallego was first elected to Congress.

2014: End of term in Arizona House of Representatives

In 2014, Ruben Gallego finished his term as member of the Arizona House of Representatives.

2015: US House of Representatives

In 2015, Ruben Gallego became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona.

2016: Re-elected to Congress

In 2016, Ruben Gallego won the Democratic nomination unopposed and was reelected with 75.3% of the vote.

2019: Presidential Campaign

In 2019, Gallego served as the national chair of Eric Swalwell's presidential campaign. He later endorsed Kamala Harris and then Joe Biden.

2021: Publication of "They Called Us 'Lucky'"

In 2021, Ruben Gallego and Jim DeFelice co-authored "They Called Us 'Lucky': The Life and Afterlife of the Iraq War's Hardest Hit Unit", a memoir about Gallego's service in the U.S. Marines during the Iraq War.

2022: Re-elected to Congress

In 2022, Gallego ran in the newly redrawn Arizona District 3 and was reelected with 77% of the vote.

January 2023: Announced Candidacy for Senate

In January 2023, Gallego announced his candidacy for the 2024 United States Senate election in Arizona.

January 22, 2023: Announced Candidacy for Senate

On January 22, 2023, Gallego announced his candidacy for the United States Senate in 2024.

January 23, 2023: Announced Candidacy for Senate

On January 23, 2023, Gallego announced his candidacy for the United States Senate in the 2024 election.

November 9, 2024: Projected Winner of Senate Election

On November 9, 2024, Decision Desk HQ projected that Gallego had beaten Lake in the Senate election in Arizona.

2024: Senate Election

In 2024, Gallego ran for the United States Senate.

2024: Campaign against Senator Kyrsten Sinema

In 2024, Gallego was encouraged by several progressive organizations to run against Senator Kyrsten Sinema.

2024: Defeated Kari Lake in general election.

In 2024, Ruben Gallego defeated the Republican nominee, Kari Lake, in the general election.

2024: Shift to the Political Center

In his 2024 campaign, Gallego moved to the political center to woo swing voters, emphasizing his Marine Corps service and combat experience in Iraq.

January 3, 2025: Took Office as Senator

On January 3, 2025, Gallego took office as the first Latino to represent Arizona in the United States Senate and one of the first two Colombian-American U.S. senators.