The legal documents released recently confirmed there were no claims of domestic abuse involving Arizona Democratic Senate candidate, Ruben Gallego, and his ex-wife, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. This comes amidst Republican Kari Lake’s attempts to question Gallego’s character in their upcoming race for the Senate seat vacated by Independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema.
The divorce records, unsealed after a legal struggle by conservative outlet The Washington Free Beacon, were made public on Thursday. In these documents, the couple stated their marriage was “irretrievably broken,” a term often used in divorce proceedings. However, a specific declaration within the papers clearly noted there was no domestic violence during their marriage.
Gallego attributed the strain in their relationship to post-traumatic stress from his time served in Iraq, admitting to struggles with “extreme outbursts.” The couple’s split occurred shortly before their son’s birth in January 2017, with Gallego filing for divorce in mid-December 2016.
The 465 pages of unsealed documents primarily addressed standard divorce matters, including custody and child support, with some specifics redacted for privacy. Notably, both parties reflected on their mutual love and dedication to their son despite the end of their marriage.
Yavapai County Superior Court Judge John Napper, who oversaw the records’ release, described the divorce details as quite ordinary. In response to Kari Lake’s comments questioning the circumstances surrounding the divorce, the Gallegos issued a statement demanding an apology. They accused Lake of misrepresenting their situation for political gain while prioritizing their child’s well-being.
On the other hand, Kari Lake’s senior adviser, Caroline Wren, claimed it was odd for Gallego to seek an apology and noted the shocking nature of the revelations, highlighting Gallego’s divorce filing close to the birth of their child. Wren suggested that if Gallego could act this way towards his wife, he wouldn’t hesitate to do the same to Arizona residents.
Despite the controversy, Mayor Gallego has publicly supported her ex-husband’s Senate run, and both remain dedicated co-parents to their son, often seen together at public events.