Senator Ruben Gallego has been using campaign funds for family-related expenses, including luxury trips with his wife and childcare for his children, since he started his Senate campaign in 2023. According to a POLITICO examination of campaign finance records and a source knowledgeable about his spending, the Arizona Democrat has utilized his leadership PAC for family trips to Miami, Chicago, Disneyland, and Disney World. He has also reimbursed over $18,000 for childcare from his PAC and main campaign committee since 2019, which includes a $400 payment to his mother-in-law for babysitting.
Federal Election Commission records indicate that Gallego used a joint campaign account with Eric Swalwell to attend the 2023 Super Bowl in Arizona with his wife, Sydney. Federal regulations allow lawmakers to use campaign funds for travel, food, events, and childcare, as long as these expenses are not for personal use—activities that would occur irrespective of the campaign. Leadership PACs have even fewer restrictions, providing lawmakers significant freedom to use raised funds as long as they serve a fundraising purpose. Gallego has taken advantage of this flexibility, often bringing his children, Sydney, her mother, and their full-time au pair on trips funded by donors, according to a source who spoke under anonymity.
The source described Gallego’s spending habits as treating his campaign account like a “personal slush fund” to support a luxurious lifestyle. Gallego did not deny using donor funds for family travel or childcare, stating, “This is not breaking news. With rising childcare costs and the financial burden on American families, it’s common for politicians to travel with their families, as permitted by the FEC.”
Gallego is considering a presidential run in 2028. Recently, he participated in the Democratic Party’s “On the Road” series in South Carolina for Juneteenth.
The spending pattern could become a liability when combined with his association with Swalwell, who resigned from Congress following allegations of sexual assault and misuse of campaign funds. To bolster his political communications, Gallego’s team has enlisted Andrew Bates, a former Biden White House deputy press secretary. Jacques Petit, Gallego’s communications director, mentioned to POLITICO that Gallego “is weighing all options for his political future” and that Bates is assisting in navigating these processes.
Concerns have emerged within Gallego’s inner circle about potential hurdles in passing vetting for presidential or vice-presidential candidacy. Petit asserted that Gallego is a well-vetted candidate, especially after his challenging 2024 campaign, and he remains focused on serving Arizonans and supporting Democrats in 2026.
Gallego has denied any involvement or awareness of Swalwell’s actions, calling for his expulsion from Congress. Swalwell has labeled the allegations false and pledged to contest them.
In April, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) requested a Senate investigation into Gallego regarding allegations of sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations, which Gallego’s spokesperson dismissed as “right-wing conspiracy theories.” Luna did not comment when approached.
Regarding the ethics investigation, Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s spokesperson referred POLITICO to his previous comments, where Thune indicated the Ethics Committee would assess the situation.
Gallego has set up a legal defense fund.
The Big Game
In February 2023, 20 days after launching his Senate bid, Gallego, Swalwell, and several donors attended Super Bowl LVII in Arizona. The event, promoted as a fundraiser for the “Swallego Victory Fund,” involved a joint committee set up by Swalwell and Gallego. Tickets were priced at $5,000, with an option to attend a pre-game brunch for $1,000. According to FEC records, the committee raised $56,505, spending $34,700 on event tickets and about $2,715 at The Henry, a brunch spot in Phoenix.
Donors included Rick Smith, the highest-paid CEO in 2024, and entertainment lawyer Dina LaPolt, both of whom attended the Super Bowl with family. Neither responded to requests for comment, nor did Swalwell’s chief of staff at the time, Yardena Wolf.
A Gallego spokesperson stated that the joint committee was established for Super Bowl LVII, and supporters meeting the contribution criteria were eligible to attend. They emphasized that tickets were bought at fair market value, and hosting donors at sporting events is a common bipartisan practice.
Swalwell’s lawyer, Sara Azari, noted that Swalwell followed campaign counsel’s guidance for event planning, ensuring compliance with campaign finance rules.
The Swallego Victory Fund ceased operations on January 1, 2025, with Swalwell and Gallego each receiving $7,643.89 in their campaign committees, and the remaining funds covering standard operating fees.
While fundraising at the Super Bowl is unusual, it is not unprecedented. John Conyers held a similar fundraiser in 2010, and Swalwell used campaign funds for the 2024 Super Bowl. Lawmakers sometimes have tickets funded by other means, such as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who received tickets from a nonprofit.
However, many politicians, like Sen. Mark Kelly and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, typically pay for their tickets personally. Gallego highlighted the high cost of Super Bowl tickets in a post on X, stating that they represent a luxury expense.
‘There’s a pattern’
Gallego solidified his reputation as a formidable Democrat when he beat Republican Kari Lake in 2024, despite national setbacks for his party, positioning him as a notable figure for 2028.
In February 2024, Gallego established the “JUNTOS PAC,” an independent leadership PAC. Since then, it has garnered nearly $1.5 million, with over half from corporate PACs.
Gallego has used these funds for various campaign and fundraising trips, often accompanied by his family. These trips included Disney World and Disneyland, with expenses documented by the FEC at around $1,500 excluding flights.
According to a source, Gallego’s family also used PAC funds for trips to St. Barts and Miami, including stays at a Miami Beach hotel costing over $9,000. Their visit to Chicago involved accommodations costing the PAC nearly $1,500. A spokesperson confirmed fundraising activities occurred during these trips.
Gallego’s campaign and leadership PAC have also reimbursed over $18,000 for childcare, including payments to an au pair service and a $400 babysitting fee to Sydney Gallego’s mother.
The child care expenses and trips to Miami and St. Barts were initially reported by The Daily Beast.
Sydney Gallego and her children used campaign and PAC funds for 13 flights between Washington and Phoenix in 2025, per the source familiar with his spending.
The source noted a recurring pattern, suggesting Sydney Gallego benefits from Ruben Gallego’s campaign activities.
Adam Wren contributed to this report.
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