Kate Gallego

Kate Gallego
Born	Katharine Sarah Widland 21 10, 1981
Birthplace	Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Title	62nd Mayor of Phoenix, Arizona
Known for	Mayor of Phoenix since 2019
Education	University of Pennsylvania (MBA)
Children	1
Website	[[phoenix.gov/mayor phoenix.gov/mayor] Official site]

Katharine Sarah Widland Gallego (née Widland; born October 21, 1981) is an American politician serving as the 62nd mayor of Phoenix, Arizona, since March 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she leads the fifth-largest city in the United States, having first entered public office as a member of the Phoenix City Council representing the 8th district from 2014 to 2018. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Gallego is a graduate of Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Her tenure as mayor has been marked by issues including police reform, urban heat mitigation, and economic development. She won a special election in March 2019 to succeed Greg Stanton, who had resigned to serve in the United States Congress, and has since become one of the most prominent municipal leaders in the American Southwest.

Early Life

Kate Gallego was born Katharine Sarah Widland on October 21, 1981, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She grew up in New Mexico before eventually relocating to Arizona. Details of her parents and childhood upbringing remain largely outside the scope of widely published sources, though her New Mexico roots have been noted in press coverage of her political career. The Albuquerque Journal highlighted her status as an Albuquerque native upon her election as Phoenix mayor in 2019.

Gallego has spoken publicly about her Jewish heritage. In an interview with Arizona Jewish Life, she discussed how her background informed her approach to community engagement and public service.

Education

Gallego attended Harvard University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. During her time at Harvard, she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious academic honor societies. She was among 92 seniors elected to the Harvard chapter in 2004.

She later earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the top-ranked business schools in the United States. Her dual educational background in the liberal arts and business administration has been cited by media outlets as informing her policy-oriented and data-driven approach to city governance.

Career

Phoenix City Council (2014–2018)

Gallego began her career in municipal politics when she was elected to the Phoenix City Council representing the 8th district. She took office on January 2, 2014, succeeding Michael Johnson in the position. During her tenure on the council, she served as vice mayor of Phoenix, a role that elevated her public profile within the city's political landscape.

As a council member, Gallego represented a district in the southern portion of Phoenix and worked on issues related to economic development, transportation, and infrastructure. Her work on the council provided the foundation for her subsequent bid for the mayoralty.

In October 2017, Gallego formally entered the race for mayor of Phoenix following the announcement that incumbent mayor Greg Stanton intended to run for a seat in the United States Congress. To focus on her mayoral campaign, Gallego resigned from the Phoenix City Council on August 7, 2018. She was succeeded on the council by Felicita Mendoza.

2019 Mayoral Election

The race to succeed Greg Stanton as mayor of Phoenix became a closely watched contest in Arizona politics. Stanton had resigned from the mayoralty to take his seat in Congress, and Thelda Williams served as interim mayor in the transition period. Gallego faced several candidates in the race, with the primary contest narrowing the field.

Her principal opponent in the runoff was Daniel Valenzuela, a fellow Democrat and Phoenix City Council member. The Arizona Republic editorial board evaluated both candidates during the campaign, noting the policy distinctions between them on issues such as public transit, economic development, and city management. The race also drew national attention, with ABC15 profiling both mayoral candidates for local audiences.

Gallego won the special election in March 2019, declaring victory with a commanding lead over Valenzuela. EMILY's List, a national political action committee that supports Democratic women candidates who back abortion rights, celebrated her victory. The Albuquerque Journal noted that a native of New Mexico had been elected to lead one of the largest cities in the country.

Gallego took office as the 62nd mayor of Phoenix on March 21, 2019.

Mayor of Phoenix (2019–present)

Police Reform and Department of Justice Investigation

One of the most significant issues of Gallego's mayoralty has been the oversight and reform of the Phoenix Police Department. The department faced scrutiny over use-of-force incidents and allegations of civil rights violations, prompting calls for increased accountability.

In August 2021, the United States Department of Justice announced that it was opening an investigation into the City of Phoenix and the Phoenix Police Department. The investigation was initiated to examine whether the department had engaged in a pattern or practice of constitutional violations, including the use of excessive force, discriminatory policing, and the treatment of individuals experiencing homelessness. ABC News reported on the federal inquiry, noting its scope and the city's response.

In response to community demands for greater police accountability, Gallego and the Phoenix City Council moved forward with the establishment of a civilian review board to provide independent oversight of police conduct. The Phoenix New Times reported on the reform measures, including the creation of the review board and changes to the department's disciplinary and oversight processes. The police reform effort has remained one of the defining policy areas of Gallego's administration, reflecting broader national conversations about policing, accountability, and racial justice.

Urban Heat and Climate Policy

Phoenix, situated in the Sonoran Desert, faces significant challenges related to extreme heat, a concern that has intensified as temperatures have risen in recent decades. Gallego has been engaged in efforts to address urban heat as a public health and environmental policy issue. She has participated in public forums and discussions on the topic, including events focused on the intersection of urban planning and climate resilience.

Under her administration, the city has pursued strategies to mitigate the effects of extreme heat, which regularly claims lives in the Phoenix metropolitan area during summer months. These efforts have included investments in cooling infrastructure, shade structures, and heat-related public health programming, consistent with Phoenix's position as one of the hottest major cities in the United States.

Economic Development

Throughout her time as mayor, Gallego has emphasized economic development as a core priority. Phoenix has experienced significant population and economic growth during her tenure, attracting major technology and semiconductor companies to the region. Her background in business—holding an MBA from Wharton—has been cited by commentators as an asset in attracting corporate investment and navigating the city's growth.

Personal Life

Gallego was previously married to Ruben Gallego, a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives representing Arizona. The couple divorced in December 2016, as reported by the Arizona Republic. They have one child together.

Gallego has publicly identified with her Jewish heritage and has spoken about its role in shaping her values and approach to community life.

She resides in Phoenix, Arizona, where she has lived since relocating from the East Coast after completing her graduate studies.

Recognition

Gallego's election as mayor of Phoenix in 2019 was notable for several reasons. She became one of the youngest mayors in the history of Phoenix, taking office at the age of 37. Her victory in the special election drew attention from national political organizations, including EMILY's List, which endorsed her candidacy and highlighted her win as a milestone for Democratic women in municipal leadership.

As mayor of the fifth-largest city in the United States, Gallego has occupied a prominent position among American municipal leaders. She has been featured in profiles by Phoenix Magazine, the Arizona Republic, and other regional and national outlets. Her policy work on urban heat and climate resilience has also contributed to her visibility in discussions about the challenges facing Sun Belt cities.

Her voting record and policy positions have been documented by organizations such as Vote Smart, which compiles public records on elected officials across the United States.