Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego has used campaign funds to pay for family trips, Super Bowl tickets and childcare, as first reported by Politico.
The Federal Election Commission stipulates that lawmakers can’t spend campaign money on personal uses unless the expenses are related to campaigning.
In a statement, Gallego said his expenditures look unusual only because he’s not as independently wealthy as other Congress members who aren’t forced to use their campaign funds to cover the cost of things like childcare.
“I’m not a millionaire, and I have a blended family, so I don’t have that option. Using campaign funds to cover fundraising costs, travel, and offset the cost of childcare is well within the rules, and I am thankful for that,” Gallego wrote.
Gallego’s predecessor, Kyrsten Sinema, spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on luxury hotels, travel and meals — even after announcing she wouldn’t run for reelection. That led to a legal complaint against her, which the FEC dismissed in 2024.
Expenditures from Gallego’s leadership political action committee, JUNTOS PAC, include about $1,500 on travel, lodging and meals at Disneyland and another $2,900 at Disney World.
Resorts like Disneyland are popular for fundraising events, which can include politicians’ families, donors and lobbyists.
In 2022, Gallego established a joint fundraising committee with Rep. Eric Swalwell, who is now embroiled in sexual harassment and assault allegations.
Gallego and Swalwell were close friends for years, but Gallego distanced himself after allegations came out earlier this year, saying Swalwell had lied to him.
Gallego, Swalwell, their families and several donors attended the Super Bowl in Glendale in 2023 as a fundraising event.
The joint PAC shut down in 2025.
It’s not unique for members of Congress to stretch the use of campaign donations on trips, expensive meals and more, but many choose to pay out of their own pocket for entertainment and events like the Super Bowl.
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