History of Ruben Gallego in Timeline

Ruben Gallego is an American politician and Marine Corps veteran currently serving as the junior United States Senator from Arizona since 2025. As a member of the Democratic Party, Gallego previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Arizona from 2015 to 2025. Prior to his federal service, he was a member of the Arizona House of Representatives from 2011 to 2014. His background includes military service and a progression through state and federal political offices.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

November 20, 1979: Ruben Gallego's Birth

On November 20, 1979, Rubén Marinelarena Gallego was born. He is an American politician and Marine Corps veteran.

2002: Joined the Marines

In 2002, Gallego joined the Marines.

2004: Graduation from Harvard

In 2004, Gallego graduated from Harvard College with a bachelor's degree in International Relations.

January 2005: Deployment to Iraq

In January 2005, Gallego was deployed to Iraq with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines.

January 2006: End of Deployment

Between January 2005 and January 2006, Gallego's unit experienced significant losses during combat operations in Iraq.

2007: Led Nowakowski's campaign

In 2007, Gallego led Michael Nowakowski's successful campaign for District 7 Phoenix City Council, later becoming Nowakowski's chief of staff.

August 7, 2008: Changed Name to Honor Mother

On August 7, 2008, Gallego changed his name from Ruben Marinelarena to Ruben Marinelarena Gallego to honor his mother, Elisa Gallego.

2009: Focused on campaign for Arizona State House

In 2009, Gallego stepped down as chief of staff to focus on his campaign for the Arizona State House in District 16.

2010: Marriage to Kate Widland

In 2010, Gallego married Kate Widland Gallego.

2010: Won election to Arizona State House

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

2011: Member of the Arizona House of Representatives

In 2011, Ruben Gallego began serving as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives.

2011: Named distinguished freshman lawmaker

In 2011, The Arizona Republic named Gallego a distinguished freshman lawmaker. His first successful bill granted in-state tuition status to veterans residing in Arizona.

2012: Elected assistant minority leader

In 2012, Gallego was elected assistant minority leader in the Arizona House.

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 to focus on his congressional campaign.

2014: First Election to Congress

In 2014, Gallego was first elected to Congress.

2014: End of Term in Arizona House of Representatives

In 2014, Ruben Gallego's term as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives ended.

2015: Member of the U.S. House of Representatives

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

2016: Reelected to Congress

In 2016, Gallego was reelected to Congress with 75.3% of the vote.

2016: Arpaio lost reelection

In 2016, Joe Arpaio, whom Gallego attempted to recall, lost his reelection bid. Gallego also worked for Strategies 360 as Director of Latino and New Media operations and for RIESTER, a public relations firm.

2017: Divorce from Kate Widland

In 2017, Gallego divorced Kate Widland Gallego.

2018: Rallied Alongside Bernie Sanders

In 2018, Gallego rallied alongside Bernie Sanders.

2018: Reelected to Congress

In 2018, Gallego was reelected to Congress with 85.6% of the vote.

2018: Sinema Elected as Democrat

In 2018, Kyrsten Sinema was first elected as a Democrat.

2020: Involvement in Presidential Campaigns

In 2020, Gallego served as the national chair of Eric Swalwell's presidential campaign. He later endorsed Kamala Harris and then Joe Biden after they dropped out.

July 2021: Trip to Qatar

In July 2021, it was reported that Gallego and his wife took a $22,000 trip to Qatar, paid for by the U.S.–Qatar Business Council.

2021: Married Sydney Barron and Authored Book

In 2021, Gallego married Sydney Barron. He also co-authored the book "They Called Us "Lucky" : The Life and Afterlife of the Iraq War's Hardest Hit Unit" with Jim DeFelice.

February 2022: Called for Expelling Russian Students

In February 2022, Gallego called for expelling Russian university students from the U.S., which prompted criticism.

May 2022: Criticized Ted Cruz on Twitter

In May 2022, after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Gallego criticized Senator Ted Cruz on Twitter for his comments on gun control.

2022: Home Purchase Controversy

In 2022, Gallego bought a home near Capitol Hill using a veterans mortgage loan program and claimed it as his primary residence, leading to scrutiny regarding his homeowner rebate in Arizona.

2022: Called Himself a Progressive

In 2022, Gallego called himself "a true progressive voice in Congress".

2022: Opposed Supreme Court Ruling

In 2022, Gallego opposed the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling.

2022: Reelection to Arizona District 3

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: Announcement of Senate Candidacy

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

January 23, 2023: Announced Candidacy for Senate

On January 23, 2023, Gallego announced his candidacy to run against Kyrsten Sinema in the 2024 election for US Senate.

September 2023: House Passed Gallego's Bill

In September 2023, the House passed Gallego's bill, the Native American Child Protection Act, which aims to set up a National Indian Child Resource and Family Services Center.

November 9, 2024: Projected Winner of Senate Election

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

2024: Defeated Kari Lake in the general election

In 2024, Gallego defeated the Republican nominee, Kari Lake, in the general election for the United States Senate seat in Arizona.

2024: Senate Candidacy

In 2024, Gallego ran for United States Senate.

2024: Shift to Moderate Tone

In 2024, Gallego sought to strike a more moderate tone in his campaign to appeal to swing voters, moving away from his previously embraced progressive background.

2024: Implemented Abortion Rights

In 2024, Gallego supported enshrining abortion rights in the Constitution of Arizona, which was implemented through 2024 Arizona Proposition 139.

2024: Encouraged to Run Against Sinema

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

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, becoming one of the first two Colombian-American U.S. senators.

October 2025: Response to Vance's Comments

During the government shutdown of October 2025, Gallego responded to Vice President JD Vance's comments regarding emergency care for "illegal aliens", raising concerns about the practical implications of denying care to those who couldn't provide identification.