Divorce Records Unsealed Insights into Ruben and Kate Gallego’s Amicable Split

In a significant development for Arizona politics, newly unsealed divorce records reveal that U.S. Senate candidate Ruben Gallego initiated divorce proceedings from Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego in December 2016. The court documents, which were the subject of a year-long legal battle for public access, shed light on their amicable separation and co-parenting agreement.

The unsealed filings indicate that Ruben Gallego characterized the marriage as “irretrievably broken.” Both parties confirmed there was no domestic violence during their marriage a necessary statement for divorces involving children in Arizona. They have jointly committed to a co-parenting plan for their son, reflecting a mutual dedication to his well-being.

According to Yavapai County Superior Court Judge John Napper, who ordered the documents to be unsealed, the case represents “one of the most garden variety divorce files” he has encountered, emphasizing the standard nature of the proceedings.

The release of these documents comes amid heightened scrutiny during Ruben Gallego’s Senate campaign and Kate Gallego’s reelection bid as Phoenix Mayor. His GOP opponent, Kari Lake, has attempted to leverage the situation, labeling Ruben as a “deadbeat dad” and suggesting he abandoned his family. The Gallegos have firmly rebutted these claims, issuing a joint statement demanding an apology from Lake for spreading misinformation.

They stated, “We demand an apology from Kari Lake for lying about our family and the circumstances of our divorce. She will stop at nothing to score a cheap political point even if it meant endangering the privacy and well-being of our young son.”

The push to unseal the divorce records was led by the Washington Free Beacon, a conservative news outlet that argued the public has a right to understand the character of public figures running for office. Michael Edney, an attorney for the Beacon, called the release a “victory for the First Amendment and the freedom of the press,” asserting that court records should be accessible to the public.

While some sensitive information, including details about their son and financial aspects, has been redacted, the court deemed the remaining records public.

The unsealed divorce records reveal a story of cooperation and respect between Ruben and Kate Gallego, challenging the narrative pushed by their political opponents. As both prepare for their respective campaigns, the focus remains on their commitment to co-parenting and the well-being of their child amidst the political fray.

In the coming weeks, how these revelations will impact their campaigns remains to be seen, but the Gallegos have made it clear that their priority lies with their family.