How early jobs and military service fuel the fight for working families in Washington.
WASHINGTON – This week, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) spoke with Reuters editor Lauren Young as part of a monthly series highlighting the career path of notable Americans.
Reuters: US Senator Ruben Gallego on his journey from janitor to Congress [Lauren Young, 2/6/26]
Read experts from the interview below:
What was your first job?
My first job was actually helping out my cousins and uncles at construction sites as a laborer. They were carpenters, so I was moving around drywall, studs and things of that nature. I got paid about $20 per day, which sounds ridiculous, but it’s family.
At 14, I was also a janitor at the Evergreen Aqua club swimming pool. If I remember correctly, I was getting paid $4.25 an hour.
What skills did you learn in those first jobs that you still use today as a senator?
Hard work does pay off. For those two jobs, it was important that I woke up early and got to my job. I was part of a team. I was very proud of the fact that I was able to bring some money home to help my family.
Was helping out your family the motivating factor to work or were you saving up for something in particular?
My mom was a single mom and immigrant from Colombia raising four kids. She was a secretary. Money was tight. It was really important for me to contribute, mostly to the utility bills. Being able to give her a little of my paycheck helped ease some of the financial pain. I could also spend some money without asking for it.
How did your military experience shape your work ethic?
Discipline. When I want to do something, I buckle down, focus and get it done. Whether it is running for office or getting a bill passed, it’s a skill set I still use today. I’m still friends with the guys I served with more than 25 years ago. It gives me great perspective. I still learn a lot from them.
Can you name one concrete policy area impacted by these early jobs?
To make sure that a wage is a dignified wage. There’s nothing more frustrating than putting in 40 hours of work and still not being able to live off that. Or to be able to have a little money to invest in yourself, or even to grab a movie. I think it has gotten worse.
My work as a senator consists of me being in a suit a lot, sitting down somewhere and talking to people. That’s not hard compared to what the average person does on a job site or factory line.
Read the full article, and watch video from the interview, HERE.
As mentioned in the interview, Senator Gallego’s early work experiences have shaped his fight for working families in Washington, including introducing the Give America a Raise Act this week to raise the federal minimum wage to $20 an hour.