Swalwell friend Gallego defends campaign-funded Super Bowl, Miami trips: ‘Go where the money is’

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Sen.Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., defended his campaign-funded travel andfundraising eventsafter recent reporting detailed luxury travel, childcare and event expenses paid through his political committees, arguing that trips to the Super Bowl and Miami were legitimate efforts to raise money for his political operation.

“You have to go where the money is to raise money,�

It was recently reported that Gallego used his leadership PAC to pay for a variety of luxurious trips, including trips to Miami, Saint Barthélemy, Disneyland, Disney World and Chicago, according to financial filings.A source familiar with Gallego’s spending said the senator often used campaign cash to bring his family on these vacations and used donor cash to fund babysitting services for his children, as reported by Politico.

Sen. Ruben Gallego walking out of the Senate Chamber in Washington, D.C.

Sen.Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., walks out of the Senate Chamber in Washington, D.C., on Dec.11, 2025, after two opposing health care bills intended to curb rising premiums failed.(Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

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Federal Election Commission records also show Gallego using a joint fundraising committee with former Rep.Eric Swalwell, who recently resigned from Congress after multiple women accused the California Democrat of sexual assault, that was used to fund tickets for him and his wife to attend the 2023 Super Bowl.

When asked about his recent financial controversies, Gallego claimed the Super Bowl endeavor to be a fundraiser event, the “Swallego Victory Fund,” which he hosted with Swalwell.

“The Super Bowl was inArizona, I represent Arizona,” Gallego said.“We threw a Super Bowl fundraiser in Arizona where we raised money for my election in 2023.That’s what you do.” 

SWALWELL’S ‘BEST FRIEND’ IN CONGRESS TURNS ON HIM AFTER BOMBSHELL ALLEGATIONS TORPEDO HIS POLITICAL CAREER

Then-Rep. Ruben Gallego and Rep. Eric Swalwell with their wives riding camels shirtless in Qatar

Then-Rep.Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and Rep.Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., are pictured with their wives riding camels shirtless during a 2021 trip to Qatar funded by the U.S.-Qatar Business Council.

The event was held with donors at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, just 20 days after Gallego launched his ArizonaSenatebid.A copy of the invitation obtained by Politico shows tickets costing $5,000, including a brunch that could be attended before the game for an additional $1,000.

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The event cost over $37,000, with both lawmakers each receiving roughly $8,000 and halting the joint committee after the game.

A Gallego spokesperson told Politico that the “tickets were purchased at fair market value” and that “hosting donors and supporters at sporting events in their areas is a common, bipartisan practice.”

“There’s a lot of people that do fundraisers atgolf tournaments, at NASCAR, at IndyCar,�“So this is just the very same thing.”

The Arizona Democrat also used PAC money for a trip to Miami that coincided with his wife, Sydney Gallego’s, birthday.The couple retreated to the Loews hotel on Miami Beach and charged over $9,000 in expenses. 

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“We raised about $50,000 in our nine events in Miami,” Gallego said.

FAR-LEFT FIREBRAND SPENDS EYE-POPPING AMOUNT OF CAMPAIGN CASH ON LUXURY HOTELS, ‘TOP-TIER’ LIMO SERVICES

Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego speaking at a podium.

Arizona Sen.Ruben Gallego defended Democrats’ efforts to extend Obamacare subsidies.(Go Nakamura/Reuters)

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A Gallego spokesperson told Politico that the Gallegos “attended several widely attended political events and fundraisers” on their trip to Miami, but did not specify any specific numbers nor address the birthday aspect of the trip.

Federal campaign funds generally cannot be converted to personal use, but FEC guidance allows campaign-related travel, meals at fundraising events and childcare expenses incurred as a direct result of campaign activity.Mixed personal and campaign travel can require reimbursement for the personal portion.

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�s Robert Schmad contributed to this report.

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