Gallego Signals Possible Presidential Bid Despite Social Media Controversies

Senator Ruben Gallego is drawing scrutiny not only for controversial social media posts but also for what many see as early positioning for the 2028 presidential campaign. Recently, Gallego took the unusual step for a freshman senator of announcing intentions to visit both Iowa and New Hampshire. These are traditional bellwether states in the Democrat presidential primary calendar, as speculation mounts that he may be eyeing a White House bid.

Gallego’s trip to the Iowa State Fair in early August was described as a call to action: “Iowa, I’m headed your way. Republicans in Congress slashed your health care and hiked your costs … Join me August 8–9. Let’s fight back,” he posted on X, prompting critics to mock the timing and ambition of the visit. Similar speculation intensified after his scheduled appearance in New Hampshire in late August, where he is set to headline events in Manchester and Nashua and campaign with local Democrats, plans usually reserved for presidential hopefuls.

National Senate Republican Committee trolled Gallego with his previous social media posts about Iowa.

This you? https://t.co/whuEGbFZTT pic.twitter.com/CHZVSsb0Y3

— Senate Republicans (@NRSC) July 29, 2025

This political maneuvering comes on the heels of controversy sparked by a social media post in which Gallego joked about daycare costs: “Sending my kid to daycare was literally less expensive than sending her to ASU.” Rather than addressing the underlying issue, he pledged to begin retweeting responses from “MAGA blue check marks,” a move critics say reflects political posturing rather than public service.

Among those the Senator reportedly spotlighted was Jeannette Garcia, an Arizona-based Army combat veteran and single mother who accused Gallego of reposting and then deleting her critical reply after he received more negative feedback than likes or retweets. Critics argue this tactic of labeling dissenters as partisan adversaries (specifically, MAGA) trivializes legitimate concerns about the content. Gallego put a bullseye on Garcia’s back by stating, “This one is an elected official. Good luck if you are a woman that lives in Avondale, Arizona.”

Senator Gallego’s use of social media theatrics, coupled with his high-profile trips to Iowa and New Hampshire, has raised questions about whether he is more focused on building a national brand than representing Arizonans. Some argue that singling out constituents and negatively dismissing them as “MAGA” crosses a line. Gallego’s dismissive responses to legitimate concerns have left many commenters wondering whether his priorities lie with serving the people of Arizona or furthering his own political ambitions.

As Tyler Bowyer of Turning Point Action pointed out, Gallego’s daycare comparison wasn’t even accurate—”ASU is not cheaper than daycare in Arizona,” making the entire episode a self-inflicted distraction. For a Senator representing a diverse and politically divided state, critics say Gallego’s approach risks alienating the very constituents he was elected to serve.

Since Ruben brought it up and I was once on the board of regents and voted against tuition increases when i got to vote….

ASU is not cheaper than daycare in Arizona although BOTH have dramatically gone up because of Democrat policies thanks to radicals like Ruben Gallego pic.twitter.com/9TeReP50ad

— Tyler Bowyer (@tylerbowyer) July 29, 2025