Senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona, is facing renewed questions about his judgment following his decision to rescind support for a second Democratic candidate accused of misconduct involving women. The move comes just months after Gallego was forced to pull his support from another candidate amid separate allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.
The latest controversy revolves around Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate nominee in Maine, who has been accused of rape and other forms of abuse. Gallego initially endorsed Platner but rescinded his support on Monday after a rape allegation surfaced. Platner has denied the allegations, but Gallego called the accusations "troubling and deeply serious" in a social media post.
Lyndsey Fifield, a former girlfriend of Platner's who has publicly accused him of abusive behavior, questioned Gallego's decision to withdraw his endorsement. Fifield suggested that Gallego had ample warning signs before abandoning Platner, referencing her own allegations of abuse, which were published in a New York Times report in June. Fifield alleged that Platner repeatedly grabbed her hard enough to leave marks, pulled her from a cab by the wrist, and twisted her arm behind her back and held her in a room while they were dating several years ago.
Gallego's decision to rescind his support for Platner was met with criticism from some Democrats, who argued that he had waited too long to act. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said that people like Senator Bernie Sanders needed to apologize for backing Platner, adding that those who dismissed the allegations in the New York Times article should apologize to the women who were affected.
A review of public endorsement announcements found that Gallego was the only sitting member of Congress to have endorsed both Platner and Eric Swalwell, a Democratic candidate who was accused of sexual assault and misconduct. The scrutiny surrounding Gallego's endorsements has raised questions about his judgment and his ability to effectively support Democratic candidates.
The controversy surrounding Gallego's endorsements is not the only issue he is facing. He has also been criticized for his campaign spending on family travel, childcare, and other personal expenses. A week ago, Gallego used campaign money on family trips to Miami, Saint Barthélemy, Disneyland, Disney World, and Chicago, as well as to attend the 2023 Super Bowl in Arizona, which he insisted was a legitimate campaign fundraising expense.
Gallego's judgment is being called into question by some, who argue that he has a pattern of supporting candidates who have been accused of misconduct. The controversy surrounding his endorsements and campaign spending has raised questions about his ability to effectively represent his constituents and support Democratic candidates.
The scrutiny surrounding Gallego is likely to continue, as he faces a tight window under Maine election law to replace Platner if he withdraws from the race. The controversy surrounding Gallego's endorsements and campaign spending has raised questions about his judgment and his ability to effectively support Democratic candidates.
