Rep. Gallego endorses Kamala Harris in Democratic presidential bid

PHOENIX – As Democratic candidates for president prepared for another debate Thursday, U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona has endorsed U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris and landed a position with her campaign, it was announced.

Gallego, who has been a vocal critic of Republican President Donald Trump, has been named as the campaign’s national security chair.

“At a time when we are one tweet away from war, Kamala has demonstrated she has the tenacity, toughness, and judgment to restore American global leadership,” Gallego said in a statement.

Gallego has represented Congressional District 7 since 2011. He serves as assistant whip for his party’s caucus, first vice chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and on the Armed Services Committee.

“Ruben has been a champion for immigrants, veterans, and Arizonans for his entire career, and I’m honored to earn his endorsement,” Harris said in a prepared statement.

She cited his U.S. Marine service in Iraq and his work expanding Medicaid in Arizona among the reasons Gallego has impressed her.

In Arizona, Harris trails three rivals – former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana – in a head-to-head poll match-up against Trump.

OH Predictive Insight’s August poll of 600 likely voters had Trump leading Harris 45% to 36%. A similar poll in May had Harris behind, 48% to 39%.

Programming note: KTAR News 92.3 FM will carry the third Democratic presidential debate live starting at 5 p.m.

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