Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., defended his campaign-funded travel and fundraising events after recent reporting detailed luxury travel, childcare, and event expenses paid through his political committees. Gallego argued that trips to the Super Bowl and Miami were legitimate efforts to raise money for his political operation.
Campaign-Funded Travel
It was recently reported that Gallego used his leadership PAC to pay for a variety of luxurious trips, including trips to Miami, Saint Barthélemy, Disneyland, Disney World, and Chicago, according to financial filings. A source familiar with Gallego’s spending said the senator often used campaign cash to bring his family on these vacations and used donor cash to fund babysitting services for his children.
Federal Election Commission records also show Gallego using a joint fundraising committee with former Rep. Eric Swalwell, who recently resigned from Congress after multiple women accused the California Democrat of sexual assault, that was used to fund tickets for him and his wife to attend the 2023 Super Bowl.
Super Bowl Fundraiser
When asked about his recent financial controversies, Gallego claimed the Super Bowl endeavor to be a fundraiser event, the ‘Swallego Victory Fund,’ which he hosted with Swalwell. The event was held with donors at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, just 20 days after Gallego launched his Arizona Senate bid.
A copy of the invitation obtained by Politico shows tickets costing $5,000, including a brunch that could be attended before the game for an additional $1,000. The event cost over $37,000, with both lawmakers each receiving roughly $8,000 and halting the joint committee after the game.
A Gallego spokesperson told Politico that the ‘tickets were purchased at fair market value’ and that ‘hosting donors and supporters at sporting events in their areas is a common, bipartisan practice.’ Gallego also used PAC money for a trip to Miami that coincided with his wife, Sydney Gallego’s, birthday.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
