### Arizona Court Unseals Divorce Records of Senate Candidate Ruben Gallego and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego

Divorce records from the seven-year-old case between Arizona Democratic Senate candidate Ruben Gallego and his ex-wife, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, have been unsealed following a decision by an Arizona court. The release of the records, made possible by a petition from the conservative news site Washington Free Beacon, has sparked significant media attention but has revealed little about the high-profile marriage or its demise. Both Gallegos had opposed the release, citing concerns for their child's safety and privacy.

The records contained no allegations of abuse or infidelity, defusing speculative claims that could have influenced Arizona's pivotal Senate race, one of the key contests set to determine control of the U.S. Senate. Despite the lack of scandalous revelations, GOP nominee Kari Lake has leveraged the release to attack Ruben Gallego's character. Lake suggested that the Gallego family's efforts to keep the documents sealed were indicative of hidden malfeasance.

During a radio interview on KTAR-FM, Lake insinuated potential misconduct. "I hope everybody who says they're going to vote for him will hold off until we get the details about why he ran off on his wife when she was nine months pregnant," she said. "We don't know if it was spousal abuse."

However, the sealing of the divorce decree with an explicit statement negating any domestic violence during their marriage has undercut such insinuations. Both Ruben and Kate Gallego responded firmly to Lake's assertions in a joint statement, demanding an apology and condemning her for potentially endangering their son’s privacy and well-being.

The publicly released divorce file outlines the shared parenting and custody arrangements for their son, born during the divorce proceedings, while most other details, such as how the couple’s assets were divided, remain redacted. Yavapai County judge John Napper, who ordered the case unsealed, remarked that the file is among "the most garden variety divorce files" he has encountered, predicting general disappointment for those expecting more sensational content.

The divorce, finalized in 2016 just before the birth of their child, had stirred the Arizona political scene due to its secrecy and timing. Ruben Gallego has suggested that post-traumatic stress disorder from his military service in Iraq may have played a role in the breakup, though both he and Kate have remained largely silent on the matter, considering it a private issue.

Despite their separation, Kate Gallego has publicly endorsed her ex-husband's Senate run and the two frequently appear together with their son, showcasing a united front in their co-parenting efforts.