Newly elected Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona, who narrowly defeated Republican Kari Lake, is bringing fresh insights to his party.
Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Gallego criticized Democrats for overlooking key economic concerns. “People in Arizona were worried about the cost of living and frustrated with spending that didn’t directly help those in need,” he said. When host Jake Tapper asked if he meant spending on Ukraine, Gallego agreed, emphasizing the need to prioritize addressing economic pain. “Voters have been driven by economic insecurity for decades. Democrats need to focus on providing economic security, especially for Latino men who value hard work,” he said, sharing his own experience working through school to make ends meet.
Gallego also pointed out the party’s failure to connect with Latino voters, citing overreliance on Ivy League consultants who often miss the mark. He noted Kamala Harris’s underperformance with Latinos and the party’s broader messaging issues.
The election outcome saw the Senate remain in Democratic hands, but the House stayed under GOP control, and Harris lost to Donald Trump in seven key states. Post-election tensions flared between Biden and Harris supporters, with some blaming Biden for not stepping aside earlier. Harris’s campaign also faced scrutiny for heavy spending and ending with significant debt despite raising $1 billion.
Gallego’s early focus on border security and economic issues offers lessons for a party looking to rebuild trust with working-class and Latino voter