Sen. Ruben Gallego Faces Growing Scrutiny

Things seem to be getting increasingly complicated for Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.). Shortly after indications arose that he is under investigation for allegations related to sexual misconduct and potential campaign finance violations, former Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy made some notable comments on Fox News.

“Gallego is, in fact, the chairman of Swalwell’s presidential campaign. They were frequently seen together,” McCarthy told Jesse Watters. They traveled as a duo quite a bit. It’s something people really should pay attention to.”

Beyond the serious allegations of misconduct and financial issues, Gallego’s credibility is also in question. He has made questionable claims regarding his awareness of Swalwell’s alleged misconduct with women, as well as his own admissions about extramarital relations.

Now that information is coming to light, it seems that many already knew about Swalwell’s problematic behavior. It’s not just a partisan issue — Democrats, Republicans, and the mainstream media all seem to acknowledge at least having heard whispers of Swalwell’s questionable character.

However, Gallego’s response has raised eyebrows. Instead of simply acknowledging the rumors with a more careful approach, he seems to deny any knowledge. He could have said something like, “I’ve never personally heard about any cheating, but there have certainly been rumors. That’s between him and his wife…” Instead, he chose to insist that he was completely unaware, stating he thought of Swalwell as a model husband.

This raises a real question: is it believable that Gallego hasn’t heard anything about Swalwell’s personal life, particularly given their close friendship?

The silver lining for Gallego might be his Democratic affiliation. Unlike Swalwell, he isn’t seen as a threat to Democratic power elsewhere.

As I pointed out after the Swalwell controversy first emerged, the media’s reluctance to take action against him stemmed from concerns about the political implications for the California gubernatorial race. The timing of media coverage seemed to favor Swalwell when it served to undermine Trump. But will California be willing to part with a Democratic governor? Well, that remains to be seen.

Gallego is a senator from a state that leans purple. It’s unlikely the media will pursue this story in a way that threatens his position or the Democrats’ hold on the Senate seat.