Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego Groans His Party Doesn’t Allow ‘Women to Be Hot’ in Leaked Texts: ‘Dem Women Look Like Dem Men’

Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego is addressing a series of allegedly leaked private text messages in which he appeared to insult members of his own party, including comments about their priorities and appearance.

The 46-year-old Democrat made history in late 2024 as the first Latino elected to the U.S. Senate from Arizona. Before joining the Senate, he represented Arizona in the House of Representatives and previously served in the Marines.

Recently leaked messages between Gallego and a longtime friend appear to show the senator speaking bluntly about fellow Democrats.

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

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

The friend then suggested Gallego himself should step up as a leader, 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.”

The friend followed up with a meme, writing, “This is how the world views many [Democrats]…” The meme showed Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut with the caption, “If erectile dysfunction had a face.”

“They aren’t wrong!” Gallego allegedly responded.

He then expanded on his point in subsequent messages: “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.”

Speaking to Phoenix outlet ABC15, Gallego did not dispute that the messages were real.

Instead, he described the situation as “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.”

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

Despite the harsh tone of the texts, Gallego stood by the broader sentiment, saying the private exchange reflected concerns he has raised publicly.

“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 told the outlet, arguing that the party is “not as inclusive as it should be.”

Gallego continued, “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.”