Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, who is running for U.S. Senate in Arizona, has recently softened his stance on several policy issues as his race against GOP nominee Kari Lake heats up. The election, slated for November, has seen Gallego pivot on matters ranging from non-citizen voting to illegal immigration and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Just The News reported that as the race tightens, Gallego has adjusted his positions on key issues, suggesting a move toward the center in a bid to widen his appeal to Arizona voters.
In February 2023, Gallego voted against disapproving a Washington D.C. law allowing non-citizens to vote, a stance that garnered criticism from conservatives.
However, by May 2023, he reversed this position, voting to prevent non-citizen voting in D.C. His justification was rooted in his belief that voting is a right reserved for U.S. citizens, but he also emphasized that the voting rights in D.C. should ultimately be determined by its residents, not by Congress.
Another notable shift in Gallego's policy platform concerns his stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In 2020, Gallego signed a letter calling for the restoration of U.S. humanitarian aid to Gaza, reflecting a concern for Palestinian human rights. He reiterated this position in May 2021 when he called for a ceasefire during a period of intense fighting between Israel and Hamas.
However, Gallego took a noticeably different tone in October 2022 after Hamas launched an attack on Israel. He deleted earlier statements and expressed strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself, condemning the attacks as acts of terrorism.
Still, by March 2023, Gallego had returned to advocating for a ceasefire and urging Israel to expedite humanitarian aid to Gaza, reflecting a balance between his support for Israel and his concerns for civilian casualties.
Gallego’s stance on illegal immigration has also seen a significant shift over time. In August 2018, he openly criticized deportation officials, a position aligned with progressive Democratic views on immigration.
But in May 2023, Gallego voted in favor of the Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act, a move that signaled a tougher stance on illegal immigration enforcement.
His opponent, Kari Lake, has been quick to seize on these changes, accusing Gallego of political opportunism. “Ruben Gallego is nothing but a career politician and political opportunist,” Lake said in a statement, adding that his recent votes were inconsistent with his long-standing support for open-borders policies.
Gallego has also adjusted his position on abortion funding. While he co-sponsored the Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act in 2022, which would have provided grants for abortion travel expenses, he did not reintroduce the bill when it was revived in 2023 with increased funding provisions.
This shift has led some to speculate that Gallego is toning down his support for reproductive rights as part of his broader move toward the political center.
Similarly, Gallego’s approach to energy policy has been marked by apparent contradictions. In September 2023, he voted against the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, a bill designed to prevent bans on gas-powered vehicles.
However, just a few months later, in June 2024, he appealed to President Biden to lower gas prices in Arizona, pointing out that the state’s gas prices were consistently higher than the national average.
Despite accusations of flip-flopping, Gallego has defended his evolving positions, citing changes in the political and humanitarian landscapes as the primary drivers. Regarding his vote on non-citizen voting, he argued that the improved legislation addressed concerns he had about earlier proposals, including implications for U.S. citizens living in Washington, D.C.
In a statement following his vote to prevent non-citizen voting, Gallego said, “I believe that only citizens have the Constitutional right to vote, which is why I voted for this legislation.” He also maintained that D.C. statehood was essential to prevent Congress from imposing its will on the city’s residents.
On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Gallego has consistently emphasized the importance of humanitarian aid and limiting civilian casualties, but his rhetoric has hardened in response to escalating violence. After the October 2022 Hamas attacks, he voiced unreserved support for Israel's right to defend itself, while still urging restraint and advocating for swift humanitarian relief.
As Gallego moves toward the center, Lake has sought to capitalize on his perceived inconsistency. The Trump-endorsed candidate has positioned herself as a steadfast conservative, appealing to Arizona’s right-leaning voters by contrasting her positions with Gallego’s evolving record.
Lake has criticized Gallego for what she describes as a decade of supporting open-borders policies, arguing that his recent votes are attempts to obscure his true record. “Flip-flopping on the issues now won’t trick Arizonans into thinking he’s a moderate,” she said in a campaign statement, reiterating her belief that Gallego’s shifts are politically motivated rather than reflective of genuine conviction.
The race between Gallego and Lake remains close, with recent polling data showing Gallego leading by just 4.6 points, 48% to Lake’s 43.4%. Both candidates are vying for the support of undecided voters in what is expected to be a highly competitive race.
As November approaches, Gallego’s evolving positions on key policy issues will likely continue to be a central focus of the campaign. Whether these changes will help him secure the moderate voters he needs to win in Arizona remains to be seen, but the close polling suggests that the outcome is far from certain.
