Arizona military veterans backing U.S. Senate hopeful Ruben Gallego say 'he’s one of us'

Military veterans backing U.S. Senate hopeful Ruben Gallego said the Democratic congressman has their back in Washington because “he’s one of us.”

Multiple Phoenix-area veterans rallied behind Gallego at a campaign event hosted by VoteVets, a progressive group that advocates for military service members and their families.

Many cited his support of PACT Act, which expanded VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits when it was signed into law in 2022.

Gallego, a Marine Corps veteran, grew emotional when speaking about the impact of the law.

“It is scary when I talk to some of my brothers, when they tell me what is going on with their ailments to think that I may lose them. Again,” Gallego said before pausing as he grew emotional. “But the PACT Act ensures my brothers will see the medical care and benefits that they deserve, that we deserve.”

Others, like U.S. Army veteran Signa Oliver, praised Gallego’s character as a congressman for the past decade.

Oliver specifically cited Gallego’s actions inside the halls of Congress during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“As I was watching, as many of you were with horror, that our Capitol was being besieged by insurrectionists, our representative was pulling people to safety,” Oliver said. “That's Ruben Gallego. That's him. That's who I want in the United States Senate.”