Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) appears to have unlawfully "solicited campaign contributions linked to official action," a center-right ethics watchdog says.
The reelection campaign for Gallego, who is running for Senate in Arizona, recently sent an email that directly referred to his introduction of the Excess Urban Heat Mitigation and Extreme Heat Emergency Acts while also including an option to make a committee contribution. Now, the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust is calling on the Office of Congressional Ethics, a nonpartisan body reviewing misconduct allegations against lawmakers, to investigate whether Gallego broke House rules while touting the measures, according to a Friday complaint.
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"Congressman Gallego sought a campaign contribution while naming a specific piece of legislation," FACT Executive Director Kendra Arnold said. "This type of fundraising not only erodes public confidence in our elected officials, who should only be acting on merit, but it also appears to be a violation of the ethics rules."
The complaint, which was sent to OCE Chief Counsel Omar Ashmawy, comes as Gallego prepares for a 2024 Arizona Senate election that could see now-independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (AZ) jumping into the race. Pinal County, Arizona, Sheriff Mark Lamb is running as a Republican, while ex-Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake is also mulling a bid.
Gallego's fundraising email, which was cited in the watchdog's complaint, asked the public if they would like to contribute $3, $20, or more, records show. Directly above this plea for donations, the email read, "Add your name here, and tell Congress that you support this critical legislation," referring to the two extreme heat measures.
"Gallego inextricably intertwines a specific piece of legislation with a solicitation for a campaign donation," FACT's complaint stated. "The ethics rules prohibit this type of link between any action taken in an official capacity and solicitations of campaign contributions."
The complaint added, "Moreover, this damages public confidence in our elected officials. Members are to act impartially and on merit, not on 'partisan affiliation' or for 'campaign contributions'—this type of fundraising indicates the exact opposite. This link between official legislation and a solicitation of a campaign contribution is 5 unacceptable, and an apparent violation of the Ethics Rules."
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The Washington Examiner reached out to Gallego's campaign for comment.
OCE launches investigations into possible misconduct if two members of its board request the matter to be escalated. Conclusions of wrongdoing are then referred to the House Ethics Committee.