Sen. Gallego held Super Bowl fundraiser in Arizona and events in Miami

Sen. Ruben Gallego defended his campaign-funded travel and fundraising events after reports detailed expenses for trips to Miami, Saint Barthélemy, Disneyland, Disney World and Chicago. Fox News reported that Gallego used his leadership PAC to pay for the trips according to financial filings.

A source familiar with Gallego’s spending said the senator often used campaign cash to bring his family on the trips and used donor cash to fund babysitting services for his children. Federal Election Commission records show Gallego used a joint fundraising committee with former Rep.

Eric Swalwell to fund tickets for him and his wife to attend the 2023 Super Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

The event occurred 20 days after Gallego launched his Arizona Senate bid. An invitation obtained by Politico showed tickets costing $5,000 with an optional brunch for an additional $1,000. The event cost over $37,000, with Gallego and Swalwell each receiving roughly $8,000 before the joint committee was halted.

Gallego told Fox News Digital that the Super Bowl event was a fundraiser called the Swallego Victory Fund. "The Super Bowl was in Arizona, I represent Arizona," he said. "We threw a Super Bowl fundraiser in Arizona where we raised money for my election in 2023.

Gallego also used PAC money for a Miami trip that coincided with his wife Sydney Gallego’s birthday. The couple stayed at the Loews hotel on Miami Beach and charged over $9,000 in expenses. "You have to go where the money is to raise money," Gallego said.

He added that nine events held in Miami raised about $50,000. A Gallego spokesperson told Politico that tickets were purchased at fair market value and that hosting donors at sporting events is a common bipartisan practice. The spokesperson also said the Gallegos attended several widely attended political events and fundraisers on the Miami trip.