Sen. Ruben Gallego Groans Democrats Don’t Allow ‘Women to Be Hot’ in Leaked Texts

Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego is speaking out about a series of alleged leaked personal text messages, which insulted fellow members of his political party.

The 46-year-old Democrat made history in late 2024, becoming the first Latino elected to the U.S. Senate from Arizona. Prior to that, he represented the state in the House of Representatives and served in the Marines.

However, newly leaked messages between Gallego and a friend appear to show the senator disparaging other Democrats over their priorities and appearance.

In one screenshot of the text conversation, Gallego’s friend suggested that “somebody with a cool head and a solid plan could rise to the top” of the Democratic Party.

“Oh man have you met my party ? I have been yelling at them this whole time,” Gallego allegedly responded.

His friend clarified that they were talking about Gallego taking charge, writing, “Seriously your [sic] getting a lot of great press , start making the moves as much of a pain in the ass you are I believe you could become the one who rebuilds and leads them.”

Gallego’s friend then shared an insulting meme, writing, “This is how the world views many [Democrats]…” The meme featured a photo of Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro from Connecticut, reading, “If erectile dysfunction had a face.”

“They aren’t wrong!” Gallego replied.

In follow-up messages, he elaborated: “We look like the not fun party. Always telling and correcting people. Not allowing men to be men. Women to be hot. We used to be the party of sec [sic] drugs and rock and roll.”

Gallego also wrote, “Now Dem women look like Dem men and Dem men look like women.”

In an interview with local Phoenix outlet ABC15, Gallego did not deny the authenticity of the messages.

Instead, he said it was “very heartbreaking that someone that I have served with and I’ve known and been really good friends [with] for 20 years decided to, you know, leak some of these messages.”

Later, he added, “You know, I’m more sad about the situation that a friend of mine decided to exploit the situation.”

Despite the insulting manner of his texts, he doubled down on the message, saying the private conversation was “a reflection of what I’ve been saying the whole time.”

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“I’ve been very clear about where I think the party needs to be. I do think we have to be an open and bigger tent party. So this is just a reflection of what I think I’ve said,” he said, adding that the party was “not as inclusive as it should be.”

Gallego continued, saying, “That’s what I’m trying to point out. We should be the party that takes everybody in. You know, at least we have certain core values, and we shouldn’t be trying to exclude more people.”