Senator-elect Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) narrowly defeated Republican challenger Kari Lake (R) to win outgoing Senator Kyrsten Sinema's (I-AZ) seat and will be sworn in on January 4th. Soon, the Senate will begin confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump's incoming cabinet. How will Sen.-elect Gallego vote?
What is known so far is that Gallego is supportive of Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) becoming Secretary of State, telling the Arizona Republic in November, "I think it would be very exciting for me being a first Latino senator, I would love to be able to support the first Latino Secretary of State if he hits all the marks."
He had previously expressed concerns over the nomination of former Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) as Attorney General due to the House Ethics investigation against the Florida Congressman, telling the Republic, "[Gaetz] going to have to answer those questions, and if he answers those questions in a manner that is fit, then I'll think about it. If not, then I'll exercise my duties under the Constitution of the United States for a review of nominees."
Rep. Gaetz, however, withdrew his nomination for Attorney General in late November, and President-elect Trump tapped former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi instead, which was met with Gaetz's approval.
Sen.-elect Gallego has remained quiet otherwise, but Trump has warned on Truth Social that Senate Democrats will attempt to stall the confirmation process, particularly the appointments of Tulsi Gabbard to the Director of National Intelligence and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to the head of the Department of Health and Human Services.
"We just won a Historic Landslide and Mandate from the American People, but Senate Democrats are organizing to improperly stall and delay the confirmation process of many of our Great Nominees. They will try all sorts of tricks starting very soon. Republicans must not allow them to do that. We have a Country to run and many big problems to solve, mostly created by Democrats. REPUBLICANS, BE SMART AND TOUGH!!!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.
