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By Kate Plummer
Senior US News Reporter
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Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego has denied accusations of misconduct, referenced by Florida Republican Anna Paulina Luna.
Luna told CBS News' The Takeout with Major Garrett that Gallego was facing allegations and said that some were "sexual in nature" and others were to do with alleged campaign finance violations.
She claimed Senate Majority Leader John Thune's office told her the matter was under investigation and that "there is a woman that allegedly is coming forward with attorneys [and] wants to go on-record about an incident that occurred between the two of them at the same time, and the event was sexual in nature, allegedly."
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Newsweek has not verified any of these allegations and has reached out to representatives for Gallego, Luna and Thune by email to comment on this story outside of normal business hours.
A Gallego spokesperson dismissed the allegations, telling CBS News on Thursday: "These are right-wing conspiracy theories being parroted by a fringe far right member of Congress. Senator Gallego has not received notification or been contacted by the ethics committee."
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Why It Matters
Sexual misconduct allegations have gripped Congress this week. Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell of California suspended his gubernatorial campaign on Sunday and resigned from Congress on Tuesday following multiple sexual assault allegations.
Swalwell has denied the accusations, and when reached via phone on Tuesday afternoon, he told Newsweek, "I have no comment on anything*—period—*and I'm going to hang up now."
Meanwhile, Republican Representative Tony Gonzales of Texas—who admitted in March to having had an affair with a staffer who died by suicide last year, and was last week hit with new allegations that he sent sexual messages to a separate campaign staffer in 2020—said on Monday that he would resign from Congress amid mounting bipartisan scrutiny of his conduct.
What To Know
Luna said Gallego was "very closely tied to Eric Swalwell."
She did not give many details about the allegations, but said: "I think any time that you are knowingly engaging in purchasing someone for sex, that is something that should be taken seriously."
It comes after a years‑old photo showing Gallego and Swalwell shirtless during a foreign trip resurfaced on social media.
The image was taken during a 2021 congressional trip to Qatar.
“Swalwell is now out of the governor's race, but his friends are still looking for political shelter. This photo of Sen. Ruben Gallego (D., Ariz.) has not aged well,” law professor Jonathan Turley wrote on X.
Gallego had defended Swalwell three days earlier on social media when the allegations first appeared online, writing, “When you are in first place, is when they target you. Eric is a fighter and he will win the Governors race," on X, but has since reversed course.
In a statement posted to X on Friday, Gallego said that after reviewing reporting on the accusations, he was withdrawing his endorsement and emphasized support for women who come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct.
What Happens Next
While there is not much information regarding allegations against Gallego, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office have launched investigations into Swalwell two different allegations, and the FBI has called on Swalwell to come forward with information.
A special election to replace Swalwell has been set for August 18, 2026. After the August special election, a general election for the seat will be held in November.
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