Sen. Ruben Gallego Again Criticizes Democrats, Says Party Has a 'National Brand Problem'

Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego again criticized his party, saying Democrats have a "national brand problem." Speaking at the "Politics and Eggs" breakfast in New Hampshire, Gallego said people "really need us to step up" as many have "buyers remorse" after voting for President Donald Trump.

In an interview with the Washington Post, Gallego said Democrats kept losing the trust of working-class people because they failed to "acknowledge concerns about high costs" and alienated voters by not being more tough on immigration matters.

Gallego also kept a door open to running for president in 2028, saying that while he doesn't "see it happening," he doesn't know what the future holds.

However, Gallego also slammed Trump, calling him a bully whose policies have left Americans "sicker and poorer" even though he managed to do well with the working class due to discontent over inflation and the economy leading up to the election.

"Do you think that Latino men wouldn't [choose] somebody that's going to give them security, even if they know how bad this guy is going to be in some areas?" he said. However, he added, voters are now facing "buyer's remorse" over immigration policies and because they feel worse off economically.

Gallego has routinely called out fellow members of his party, recently defending New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani and urging Democrats who have not supported him to refrain from sidelining candidates who bring new ideas into the party.

When asked what he thought about Mamdani being criticized by members of the party and whether he believes the candidate can resonate with people, Gallego said he considered the criticism to be "stupid."

"Maybe we're not a 100% in agreement. But he has some ideas that are attracting people. It's okay to say 'I disagree with this, this, and this, but I agree with that.' But the idea that we're just gonna throw out people that are really bringing in new ideas to the fold, exciting people, just because they're slightly to the right or to the left of us is dumb," he added.

Gallego went on to say that a problem with Democrats is that "we have been shrinking our tent as much as possible to the point where there are not many people left," and that he feels that happens "on the left side of our party and it also happens on the right side of the party."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and Gov. Kathy Hochul have all withheld support, citing policy differences and controversies surrounding Mamdani's positions on Israel and his past refusal to denounce the slogan "globalize the intifada."

Gallego's profile rose to national attention last year when he not only beat Republican and Trump-ally Kari Lake but also outperformed Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in Arizona. At the same time, the congressman became a darling for Latino voters, particularly, men, who often cited his connection to the community as one of his most important attributes.