
<p>Sen. Ruben Gallego (Ariz.) has been held up as a model for the Democratic Party’s future since winning his Senate seat in 2024, with colleagues praising his skills as a communicator who succeeded during a time when other Democrats have struggled.</p>



<p>He has drawn consistent praise for his authenticity and for his ability to connect with voters — particularly Latinos, a key demographic Democrats have sought to win back in recent years. But this week, the junior senator from Arizona has faced questions that could taint his future political prospects — particularly if he decides to run for president in 2028.</p>



<p>The questions surround what he knew and when regarding the sexual assault allegations that caused Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) to resign his House seat and withdraw from the California gubernatorial race last week.</p>



<p>Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) this week also came out accusing Gallego of his own misconduct, something flatly denied by the Arizona senator.</p>



<p>Luna told CBS News’s “The Takeout with Major Garrett” that a woman was preparing to come forward with allegations “sexual in nature” against Gallego, as well as campaign finance violations. She also said Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s (R-S.D.) office told her the matter was under investigation, but she did not offer any evidence to back her statements.</p>



<p>A spokesperson for Gallego told reporters that the allegations were “right-wing conspiracy theories being parroted by a fringe far-right member of Congress.” The spokesperson also said Gallego had not received notification or been contacted by the Ethics Committee.</p>



<p>Luna ;told CBS News’s ;“The Takeout with Major Garrett” that a woman was preparing to come forward with allegations “sexual in nature” against Gallego, as well as campaign finance violations.</p>



<p>She also said Senate Majority Leader ;John Thune’s ;(R-S.D.) office told her the matter was under investigation, but she did not offer any evidence to back her statements.</p>



<p>A spokesperson for Gallego responded to press inquiries that the allegations were “right-wing conspiracy theories being parroted by a fringe far-right member of Congress.” The spokesperson also said Gallego had not received notification or been contacted by the Ethics Committee.</p>



<p>Thune’s office specifically told The Hill that anything received from Luna about the allegations has been referred to the Senate Ethics Committee but refused to comment any further.  ;</p>



<p>Gallego was close to Swalwell and earlier sought to get ahead of the firestorm by holding a press conference in his office Tuesday to express his disappointment in his former friend’s actions.</p>



<p>Speaking to reporters, Gallego said he too felt betrayed, saying that Swalwell “lied to all of us.”</p>



<p>“I fell for it,” the senator said. ;</p>



<p>The White House, seemingly sensing weakness, has sought to put pressure on Democrats generally over the issue.</p>



<p>White House press secretary ;Karoline Leavitt ;this week called the allegations involving Swalwell “despicable and disgusting” and urged journalists to investigate how Democratic leaders and other lawmakers — including Gallego — knew about Swalwell’s actions.</p>



<p>“I think it’s also quite plausible … that there were many other Democrats in this town on Capitol Hill who knew about his perhaps illegal behavior — certainly his disgusting and inappropriate behavior. And why they were silent for so long? ;</p>



<p>“I think those are questions that must be raised of the sitting representatives — including Mr. Gallego.”</p>

Gallego’s Rising Star in the Democratic Party Tarnished by Ties to Swalwell
