Gallego expects to secure 90% of Democratic votes in Arizona Senate race.

PEORIA, Arizona — Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) Engages Voters at Town Hall

Phoenix-area Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) kicked off a recent town hall with a lighthearted warning to the crowd of about 150 attendees gathered inside the Rio Vista Recreation Center. He humorously explained that his wife Sydney is expected to go into labor any day now with their first child together, and if he suddenly answers his phone or rushes out, it’s because of that. Gallego took the opportunity to differentiate himself from other politicians, emphasizing his commitment to his constituents.

Gearing Up for a Three-Way Race

The 43-year-old congressman is preparing for a potentially unpredictable three-way race in 2024, which could pose a threat to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s hold on the seat. Gallego, who announced his candidacy earlier this year, is determined to prove that he has a path to victory in a state where registered Democrats are outnumbered by Republicans and independents. He is prioritizing accessibility through in-person public events, a strategy that sets him apart from Sinema, who hasn’t held a similar event in years.

“We’re going across the state, reaching out to both red and blue areas. We want to connect with people who feel forgotten,” Gallego passionately expressed to the crowd.

Consolidating Democratic Support

Gallego is actively working to consolidate Democratic support for his 2024 run and keep the party’s voters on his side. He aims to secure around 90% of the Democratic vote by engaging not only with Democrats but also with independents and even Republicans. Gallego believes that this inclusive approach is the key to winning.

“We’re willing to do this with not just Democrats, but with independents. We will go to Republican areas and talk to Republicans. This is how you win,” Gallego confidently stated in an interview.

Disappointment with Sinema

The town hall, organized by local Democrats, attracted a mostly friendly crowd of voters who had already decided to support Gallego’s candidacy. Unlike many battleground states, Gallego did not face any heckling from attendees. Instead, many expressed their disappointment with Sinema’s first term.

“We feel betrayed by her. She sold her soul to big money, and I’m very disappointed because I was enthusiastic about her initially,” said Gabrielle Lawrencel, a registered voter from Scottsdale, Arizona. Lawrencel, who had actively campaigned for Sinema in 2018, added, “Mostly everyone I know is very disappointed with her.”

Melinda Kubak, a registered Democrat from Sun City West, Arizona, shared her concern about the possibility of the Democratic vote being split between Sinema and Gallego. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a majority and has already decided to support Gallego.

Gallego’s Military Background and Appeal

Gallego, a Marine combat veteran serving on the House Armed Services Committee, believes that his military background will resonate with voters. As Arizona’s first Latino senator, he also believes that his heritage will help him win over a significant portion of the independent vote, including many Latinos. His advisers are optimistic that the high turnout typically associated with a presidential election could work in Gallego’s favor and potentially harm Sinema’s chances, as she would be running as an independent.

“For Sinema to win, she’d have to get a big chunk of Republicans theoretically. With Trump historically getting over 90% of the Republican vote in Arizona, what I struggle with is thinking about who is going to be the Trump-Sinema voter, because there has to be those people in order for her to win,” said Roy Herrera, a prominent Arizona election attorney who supports Gallego.

Contrasting with Sinema

During the town hall, Gallego took several jabs at Sinema, highlighting her ties to corporate interests and her role in preventing broader negotiations on drug prices. He accused her of prioritizing pharmaceutical companies over the needs of senior citizens.

“Kyrsten Sinema, this is one of the things that I think is just unforgivable. Instead of negotiating for you, for our senior citizens, she negotiated for pharma,” Gallego passionately expressed.

Looking Ahead

While most high-profile Democrats have yet to get involved in the Arizona race, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will headline a campaign fundraiser for Gallego. Pelosi’s involvement is notable, as she rarely endorses candidates in primary elections. The race for Sinema’s seat is still in its early stages but could ultimately determine control of the Senate. Gallego remains confident in his ability to win over voters, including Republicans who may not align with a hard-line conservative candidate.

“We’re going to win this race whether Kyrsten is in or if Kari Lake is in. It’s not because of Kyrsten, and it’s not because of Kari. It’s because we’re the only people actually having these conversations,” Gallego asserted.

Gallego’s determination to engage with voters from all backgrounds and his focus on key issues make him a formidable contender in the upcoming race for Sinema’s seat.

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