### Unsealed Divorce Records Show Amicable Split for Senate Hopeful Ruben Gallego

Newly unsealed court records have shed light on the 2016 divorce between U.S. Senate candidate Ruben Gallego and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. These documents, unveiled after a nearly year-long legal battle, reveal that Ruben Gallego initiated the divorce, citing the marriage as "irretrievably broken." Both parties affirmed in the court filings that there was no domestic violence, a required statement in divorces involving children in Arizona. They also agreed on a co-parenting arrangement for their son, acknowledging each other's dedication and love for the child.

Despite this seemingly straightforward divorce, Kari Lake, a GOP rival in Ruben Gallego's Senate race, has aggressively portrayed the situation as scandalous. Lake has accused Gallego of being a "deadbeat dad" and abandoning his family, but the unsealed records paint a different picture. Judge John Napper, who ordered the documents made public, described the case as "one of the most garden variety divorce files I have ever seen." A divorce lawyer in Arizona also deemed the split amicable.

In a joint statement following the unsealing, Ruben and Kate Gallego demanded an apology from Lake, condemning her for misleading the public and endangering their son's privacy. "She will stop at nothing to score a cheap political point," the Gallegos stated. They emphasized their commitment to their child and criticized Lake for her tactics.

Responding to these comments, Caroline Wren, a senior advisor to Lake, remarked that it was "bizarre" for Ruben Gallego to demand an apology, referring to his alleged "appalling behavior." The lawsuit to unseal the records was initiated by the Washington Free Beacon, a conservative news outlet, which argued that the documents were crucial for evaluating the character of public figures.

The court had originally sealed the records, balancing the privacy interests of both Gallegos against Arizona's open records policy. Lawyers for the Beacon advocated for the public release, claiming the records were necessary to understand the behavior of both a federal officeholder and a major city's mayor. The Gallegos resisted the release, focusing on protecting their son's privacy.

Judge Napper ultimately decided to unseal the records but agreed to redact sensitive information, including details about the child and financial specifics. The remaining content showed a relatively smooth and agreeable divorce process, aligning with the views of family law attorney Thea Gilbert. Gilbert noted that such amicable divorces usually proceed in this manner, often with terms agreed upon beforehand.

This development adds a complex layer to the ongoing Senate race in Arizona, highlighting how personal matters are sometimes used in the political arena.