Ruben Gallego Makes History as Arizona’s First Latino U.S. Senator, Defeating Kari Lake in Landmark Election
Ruben Gallego, a Democratic Congressman and Iraq War veteran, has made history by becoming Arizona’s first Latino U.S. senator, defeating Republican Kari Lake in a fiercely contested race. Gallego’s victory reinforces Arizona’s recent shift towards Democratic representation in the Senate—a trend that began with Donald Trump’s election in 2016. Since then, Arizona voters have consistently rejected Trump-endorsed candidates, with the president-elect also winning Arizona in this year’s election over Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Gracias, Arizona!” Gallego posted on social platform X, celebrating his historic win. His victory means the GOP will hold 53 seats in the 100-member Senate, though Democrats continue to make inroads in key states.
Gallego, who served five terms in the House, campaigned on his personal life story, highlighting his humble beginnings as the son of immigrants, his single mother’s influence, and his service in the Marine Corps. He replaces Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who, after leaving the Democratic Party and considering an independent run, chose not to seek a second term when her path to victory became uncertain.
Throughout the campaign, Gallego portrayed himself as a moderate pragmatist. He emphasized veterans’ rights, women’s reproductive freedoms, and immigration reform while downplaying his progressive voting record in Congress. He maintained a significant fundraising lead and consistently attacked Lake’s stance on issues like abortion. Lake had initially supported a strict anti-abortion law but later moderated her stance, sparking criticism from her conservative base.
Lake, a former TV anchor and populist conservative figure, gained attention for her 2022 gubernatorial campaign, during which she refused to concede her loss and championed election fraud claims. Her unwavering loyalty to Trump and rejection of past election results endeared her to some Republicans but alienated moderates. Despite efforts to moderate her platform on issues like election integrity and abortion, her inconsistent messaging hindered her appeal to a broader audience.
During her campaign, Lake emphasized border security and accused Gallego of favoring “open borders.” Her approach resonated with many Arizona Republicans in the border state, but Gallego’s connection with voters, emphasis on veterans’ issues, and pragmatic problem-solving ultimately proved more compelling.
Gallego’s campaign also gained a powerful endorsement from his former spouse, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, who publicly supported him despite their past. “I will fight for Arizona in Washington,” Gallego stated to his supporters, pledging to represent all Arizonans, regardless of party affiliation. In his victory speech, he credited his single mother for his success and promised to work on immigration reform, veterans’ support, and reproductive rights.
With Gallego’s win, Arizona has only one remaining high-profile race to be decided—the 6th Congressional District race between Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani and Democrat Kirsten Engel, which is still too close to call.
Gallego’s victory illustrates a pattern of ticket-splitting among Arizona voters, with some supporting Trump for president but choosing the Democrat for Senate. This trend also appeared in Senate races in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Nevada, where Democrats won Senate seats even as Trump led the presidential ticket.
While Democrats held onto key seats, Republicans made gains in traditionally Democratic strongholds, flipping Senate seats in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Montana. Despite efforts from longtime Democratic Senators like Sherrod Brown, Bob Casey, and Jon Tester to attract ticket-splitters, they ultimately could not secure re-election.
As Arizona’s drawn-out vote count nears completion, Gallego’s groundbreaking victory is a significant milestone for Arizona and the Latino community. His journey from a challenging upbringing in Chicago to the hallowed halls of the Senate symbolizes both personal resilience and the evolving political landscape of Arizona.