Pete Gallego

After graduating from law school, Gallego became an assistant in the office of the state attorney general, before he returned to his hometown of Alpine to become a prosecutor. He was also an attorney at the law firm Brown McCarroll LLP, with an office in Austin.{{cite news|last1=McClane|first1=Brianna|title=Texas, 23rd House District|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/texas-23rd-house-district-20121101|access-date=August 19, 2014|work=National Journal|date=November 1, 2012|archive-date=August 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820174928/http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/texas-23rd-house-district-20121101|url-status=live}}

Elected to the Texas House from District 74 in 1990, Gallego was the first Hispanic to represent this vast border district. In 1991, he became the first freshman member and the first ethnic minority member ever elected as chair of the House Democratic Caucus, a post he held until January 2001.{{cite web|title=Pete Gallego (D)|url=http://projects.wsj.com/campaign2012/candidates/view/pete-gallego--TX-H|work=Election 2012|publisher=Wall Street Journal|access-date=May 22, 2014|archive-date=May 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522231750/http://projects.wsj.com/campaign2012/candidates/view/pete-gallego--TX-H|url-status=live}}

In the Texas House, Gallego served on the board of directors of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO), and four terms as Chairman of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC), a caucus of Texas representatives who are of Mexican-American descent or who serve a significant Mexican-American constituency. In 2008, Trey Martinez Fischer replaced Gallego as Chairman of MALC.{{cite news|last=Glazer|first=Matt|title=Mexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC) Elects New Leadership|url=http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/7597/|access-date=May 22, 2014|newspaper=Burnt Orange Report|date=December 9, 2008|archive-date=May 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522235741/http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/7597/|url-status=live}}

Gallego's state legislative career included chairmanships of the General Investigating Committee, the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, and several select committees.{{Cite web |title=Texas Legislators: Past & Present - Mobile |url=https://lrl.texas.gov/mobile/memberDisplay.cfm?memberID=130&sa=D& |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=lrl.texas.gov}} He also served as a member of the Texas Sunset Commission and a member of the Committees on Appropriations, Calendars, Criminal Jurisprudence, Higher Education, and Elections and served on the 10-member House-Senate budget conference committee for five consecutive legislative sessions from 1993 – 2001.{{Cite web |title=Redirect Notice |url=https://www.naaonline.org/the_honorable_pete_gallego |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=}}

In 2008, Gallego narrowly missed being elected Speaker of the Texas House.Marty Schladen. [http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_24352017/veteran-moderate-wants-help-fix-congress US Rep. Pete Gallego wants to help fix Congress] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202181325/http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_24352017/veteran-moderate-wants-help-fix-congress |date=February 2, 2014 }}. El Paso Times, October 21, 2013.

Gallego was known for carrying major legislation in the areas of criminal justice, indigent defense, capital punishment, wrongful convictions, crime victims’ rights, the judiciary, and economic development. He also carried legislation authorizing the creation of underground water districts throughout the region he represented.{{Cite web |last=Gallego |first=Pete P. |title=P E T E P. G A L L E G O |url=https://srinfo.sulross.edu/hb2504/uploads/cv/gallego_pete_ppg15qk.pdf |date=August 2020}}

Gallego established internship programs at MALC named in honor of several of his mentors, Rep. Irma Rangel (the first Latina elected to the Texas Legislature) and Rep. Paul Moreno, the longest-serving Latino elected official in the country at that time.{{Cite web |title=MALLFoundation |url=http://mallfoundation.org/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |language=en}} He, along with the Latino Caucus chairs in New York, Florida, and California, was also instrumental in founding the National Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs,{{Cite web |title=COUNCIL OF LATINO CAUCUS CHAIRS |url=https://www.blll.org/board-of-hispanic-caucus-chairs |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=BLLL |language=en |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601170406/https://www.blll.org/board-of-hispanic-caucus-chairs |url-status=live }} of which he was the founding chairman. While a state legislator, he also became the first person of color to serve as president and chairman of the Texas Lyceum Association.{{Cite web |title=Alumni |url=https://www.texaslyceum.org/alumni |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=www.texaslyceum.org |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601170406/https://www.texaslyceum.org/alumni |url-status=live }}

;2012

{{See also|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 23}}

Gallego announced his candidacy for the 23rd district in September 2011.Perry, Mike. [http://alpinedailyplanet.typepad.com/alpine-daily-planet/2011/09/gallego-makes-it-official-hes-running-for-us-congress.html Gallego makes it official: He's running for U.S. Congress] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202110930/http://alpinedailyplanet.typepad.com/alpine-daily-planet/2011/09/gallego-makes-it-official-hes-running-for-us-congress.html |date=February 2, 2014 }}. Alpine Daily Planet, September 1, 2011. His state house district was virtually coextensive with the central portion of the congressional district; indeed, he had represented almost all of the central portion of the congressional district at one time or another during his two decades in the state legislature.

He finished second in the Democratic primary, behind former congressman Ciro Rodriguez, who had received Bill Clinton's endorsement. He then defeated Rodriguez in the July 31 runoff election by 2,777 votes.[http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe 2012 Democratic Party Primary Runoff July 31, 2012] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061108172637/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe |date=November 8, 2006 }}{{cite news|last1=Martin|first1=Gary|title=Gallego beats Rodriguez to challenge Canseco in the fall|url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Gallego-beats-Rodriguez-to-challenge-Canseco-in-3752147.php|access-date=August 19, 2014|publisher=MySanAntonio|date=August 1, 2012|archive-date=March 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311164315/http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Gallego-beats-Rodriguez-to-challenge-Canseco-in-3752147.php|url-status=live}} During the course of his campaign, Gallego overhauled his campaign staff four times.{{cite news|last=Martin|first=Gary|title=Pete Gallego overhauls congressional campaign a fourth time|url=http://blog.mysanantonio.com/texas-on-the-potomac/2012/08/pete-gallego-overhauls-congressional-campaign-a-fourth-time/|access-date=May 22, 2014|newspaper=San Antonio Express-News|date=August 16, 2012|archive-date=May 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523040701/http://blog.mysanantonio.com/texas-on-the-potomac/2012/08/pete-gallego-overhauls-congressional-campaign-a-fourth-time/|url-status=live}}

In the general election, Gallego defeated Canseco by 9,129 votes. While Gallego lost in Bexar County, home to more than half the district's population, he dominated his former state house district. The campaign between Gallego and Canseco was contentious, with Gallego alleging that Canseco was a "right-wing extremist," and Canseco calling Gallego a "radical environmentalist."{{cite news|last=Martin|first=Gary|title=Gallego starts swinging at Canseco in 23rd congressional race|url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Gallego-starts-swinging-at-Canseco-in-23rd-3755212.php|access-date=May 22, 2014|newspaper=San Antonio News-Express|date=August 1, 2012|archive-date=May 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523041143/http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Gallego-starts-swinging-at-Canseco-in-23rd-3755212.php|url-status=live}}

Gallego was supported by the Blue Dog Coalition.{{cite news|last=Trujillo|first=Mario|title=Blue Dog Democrats fight for relevance|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/135255-blue-dog-democrats-fight-for-relevance/|access-date=May 22, 2014|newspaper=The Hill|date=November 25, 2012}}{{cite news|last1=Beard|first1=Sterling|title=Rep. Gallego enjoys rare status as a new Texas Democrat in the House|url=https://thehill.com/capital-living/new-member-of-the-week/148267-rep-gallego-enjoys-rare-status-as-a-new-texas-democrat-in-the-house/|access-date=August 19, 2014|work=The Hill|date=April 22, 2013|archive-date=June 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606030945/https://thehill.com/capital-living/new-member-of-the-week/148267-rep-gallego-enjoys-rare-status-as-a-new-texas-democrat-in-the-house/|url-status=live}}

;2014

{{See also|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 23}}

Gallego ran for re-election in 2014. Facing no opposition from his own party, he won the Democratic primary on March 4, 2014.{{cite web|title=Pete P. Gallego's Political Summary|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/5505/pete-gallego#.U35D9C8wlUE|publisher=Project Vote Smart|access-date=May 22, 2014|archive-date=May 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522231640/http://votesmart.org/candidate/5505/pete-gallego#.U35D9C8wlUE|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Grissom|first1=Brandi|title=Liveblog: 2014 Primary Election|url=http://www.texastribune.org/2014/03/04/liveblog-primary-election-2014/|access-date=August 19, 2014|newspaper=Texas Tribune|date=March 4, 2014|archive-date=July 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705111847/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/03/04/liveblog-primary-election-2014/|url-status=live}} He faced Republican Will Hurd, an African American, in the general election.{{cite news|last1=Delreal|first1=Jose|title=Will Hurd wins TX-23 rematch against Francisco "Quico" Canseco|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2014/05/will-hurd-texas-francisco-quico-canseco-107142.html|access-date=August 19, 2014|publisher=Politico|date=May 27, 2014|archive-date=October 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025065244/http://www.politico.com//story/2014/05/will-hurd-texas-francisco-quico-canseco-107142.html|url-status=live}} Gallego was a member of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Frontline Program. The program is designed to help protect vulnerable Democratic incumbents. He lost his bid for re-election to Hurd by 2,422 votes.{{cite news|last=Isenstadt|first=Alex|title=Democrats launching plan for 2014 at-risk members|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/03/democrats-launching-plan-for-2014-at-risk-members-088402|access-date=May 22, 2014|newspaper=Politico|date=March 4, 2013}}

;2016

{{See also|2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 23}}

Gallego attempted to reclaim his seat in 2016, he won the Democratic nomination but on November 8th 2016 he again lost to Hurd, this time by 3,051 Votes. [https://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist319_state.htm] Despite Hillary Clinton narrowly flipping the district in the concurrent 2016 presidential election. https://davesredistricting.org/maps#viewmap::19b1b774-7706-485b-a21a-896bbcbddbba

;2018

{{See also|2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas#District 23}}

In July 2017, Gallego tested the waters as a potential 2018 candidate once more against Hurd. Reapportionment of the district could play a major role as to whether Gallego decided to enter the race. At least two other Democrats also considered running for their party nomination: Judith Canales, a former officer of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development from Eagle Pass, and Jay Hulings, a graduate of Harvard Law School and an assistant U.S. attorney in San Antonio.{{cite news |url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/news_columnists/gilbert_garcia/article/Gallego-inches-toward-third-battle-with-Hurd-11274977.php |last=Garcia |first=Gilbert |title=Gallego inches toward third run at Congressman Hurd |publisher=San Antonio Express-News |date=July 9, 2017 |page=A2 |archive-date=January 25, 2020 |access-date=January 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125035950/https://www.expressnews.com/news/news_columnists/gilbert_garcia/article/Gallego-inches-toward-third-battle-with-Hurd-11274977.php |url-status=live }} On September 1, Gallego announced that he would not run in the 23rd district.{{cite news |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2017/09/01/gallego-passes-second-campaign-reclaim-old-seat-congress/ |title=Pete Gallego passes on second bid to reclaim old seat in Congress from Will Hurd |last=Svitek |first=Patrick |date=September 1, 2017 |access-date=January 24, 2020 |archive-date=January 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125042904/https://www.texastribune.org/2017/09/01/gallego-passes-second-campaign-reclaim-old-seat-congress/ |url-status=live }}

• Committee on Agriculture
• Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
• Subcommittee on Livestock, Rural Development, and Credit
• Committee on Armed Services
• Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
• Subcommittee on Readiness

In June 2018, a special election was triggered in Texas State Senate District 19 after incumbent Carlos Uresti resigned. After an initial eight-way race and election on July 31, in which no candidate received 50% of the vote, a runoff election was set between the top two candidates, Gallego and Republican Pete Flores.{{cite news |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2018/07/31/sd-19-special-election-results/ |title=Republican Pete Flores, Democrat Pete Gallego set for runoff for Uresti seat |last=Svitek |first=Patrick |newspaper=Texas Tribune |date=July 31, 2018 |access-date=January 24, 2020 |archive-date=January 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125042907/https://www.texastribune.org/2018/07/31/sd-19-special-election-results/ |url-status=live }} On September 18, Gallego was defeated in the runoff election due to high voter turnout in Medina County, a GOP stronghold; Flores received 53% of the vote, while Gallego received 47%.McGuinness, Dylan. [https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Polls-close-at-7-p-m-in-Senate-District-19-13239398.php Flores defeats Gallego in Senate District 19] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226060430/https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Polls-close-at-7-p-m-in-Senate-District-19-13239398.php |date=February 26, 2019 }}, San Antonio Express-News, September 19, 2018.{{cite news |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2018/09/18/republican-pete-flores-track-upset-race-democratic-friendly-uresti-sea/ |title=Republican Pete Flores upsets Democrat Pete Gallego in race for Uresti seat |newspaper=Texas Tribune |last=Svitek |first=Patrick |publisher=Texas Tribune |date=September 18, 2018 |access-date=January 24, 2020 |archive-date=February 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227095409/https://www.texastribune.org/2018/09/18/republican-pete-flores-track-upset-race-democratic-friendly-uresti-sea/ |url-status=live }}

In May 2020 Chancellor Brian McCall announced Gallego as the sole finalist to become the 13th president of Sul Ross State (SRSU). In June, the Texas State University System Board of Regents confirmed him as the first SRSU alum to serve as president. He began his presidency at the four-campus university at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as it faced declining enrollment.

During his tenure, the university successfully moved classes online and slowly transitioned back to partial in-person classes. The university's endowment grew in size, and it awarded more degrees per year, including to Hispanic, minority, and economically-disadvantaged students, while raising its graduation rates.{{Cite web |title=Institutional Resumes |url=https://apps.highered.texas.gov/resumes/apps.highered.texas.gov/resumes/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=apps.highered.texas.gov |language=en}} A member of its rodeo team won a national championship (bull riding) for the first time since 1983.{{Cite web |author1=sulross.edu |author2=Jakob Brandenburg |date=2021-06-23 |title=Sul Ross bull rider wins national championship |url=https://www.cbs7.com/2021/06/23/sul-ross-bull-rider-wins-national-championship/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=cbs7.com |language=en |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601170406/https://www.cbs7.com/2021/06/23/sul-ross-bull-rider-wins-national-championship/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Sul Ross State University - Graduation, Transfer-out, and Retention Rate |url=https://www.collegetuitioncompare.com/edu/228501/sul-ross-state-university/graduation/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=College Tuition Compare |language=en}}

Gallego resigned as president{{Cite press release |date=2021-11-12 |title=News Release |url=https://www.tsus.edu/newsroom/news-releases/release-111221.html |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=www.tsus.edu |language=en |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601161400/https://www.tsus.edu/newsroom/news-releases/release-111221.html |url-status=live }} in June 2022 and was named president emeritus{{Cite web |title=Pete Gallego, President Emeritus |url=https://srinfo.sulross.edu/fs/4840 |access-date=2023-06-02 |language=en-US |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601170411/https://srinfo.sulross.edu/fs/4840 |url-status=live }} by the Board of Regents.

Gallego opposes repeal of the Affordable Care Act and voted against repeal in May 2013.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o7Iytm1hRI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/0o7Iytm1hRI |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live| title=Gallego on Obamacare, Iran and Taxes | publisher=YouTube | access-date=November 3, 2013}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web | url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2013/roll154.xml | title=Final Vote Results for Roll Call 154 | publisher=House.gov | access-date=November 3, 2013 | archive-date=December 7, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207031555/http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2013/roll154.xml | url-status=live }}{{cite news|last1=Garcia|first1=Gilbert|title=Gallego's no-win situation on health care law|url=http://www.expressnews.com/news/news_columnists/gilbert_garcia/article/Gallego-s-no-win-situation-on-health-care-law-4936931.php|access-date=August 19, 2014|publisher=San Antonio Express-News|date=October 29, 2013|archive-date=November 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105224054/http://www.expressnews.com/news/news_columnists/gilbert_garcia/article/Gallego-s-no-win-situation-on-health-care-law-4936931.php|url-status=live}} Gallego's support for the Affordable Care Act was attacked in advertisements by the Libre Initiative, a conservative Hispanic outreach group.{{cite news|last=Schladen|first=Marty|title=Libre Initiative targets Obama's Affordable Care Act|url=http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_25096319/el-paso-times|access-date=May 22, 2014|newspaper=El Paso Times|date=February 9, 2014|archive-date=May 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522232747/http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_25096319/el-paso-times|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Pabst|first=Georgia|title=Libre Initiative reaches out to Hispanics with free-enterprise message|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/libre-initiative-reaches-out-to-hispanics-with-free-enterprise-message-b99210747z1-246796021.html|access-date=May 22, 2014|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=February 23, 2014|archive-date=May 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522233930/http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/libre-initiative-reaches-out-to-hispanics-with-free-enterprise-message-b99210747z1-246796021.html|url-status=live}}

Gallego opposed a Medicare voucher system{{cite news|last1=Hennessy-Fiske|first1=Molly|title=Texas congressional candidates debate -- in Spanish|url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-xpm-2012-sep-26-la-na-nn-texas-debate-spanish-20120926-story.html|access-date=August 19, 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 26, 2014|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919205801/https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-xpm-2012-sep-26-la-na-nn-texas-debate-spanish-20120926-story.html|url-status=live}} and supported Medicaid expansion and prescription drug negotiations.{{cite web|title=Issues: Medicare|url=http://petegallego.com/issues/medicare|work=Campaign Website|publisher=Pete Gallego|access-date=May 22, 2014|archive-date=May 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530235413/http://petegallego.com/issues/medicare|url-status=live}}

Gallego supported an abortion law allowing minors to get an abortion with parental consent. Under the legislation a minor would have been able to bypass the requirement for parental consent by petitioning a judge.{{cite news|last=Root|first=Jay|title=Gallego: Jesus Would Not Like Political Mailer|url=http://www.texastribune.org/2012/10/16/gallego-jesus-would-not-political-mailer/|access-date=May 22, 2014|newspaper=Texas Tribune|date=October 16, 2012|archive-date=May 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522235549/http://www.texastribune.org/2012/10/16/gallego-jesus-would-not-political-mailer/|url-status=live}}

Gallego has said that border security and immigration reform are two separate issues. He advocates improved "worker accountability programs, using border security as an economic tool and aiding the current 11 million undocumented individuals in a path to citizenship", writing with several others in an opinion piece in the El Paso Times that, "We can no longer delay immigration reform. The time to move forward is now." Gallego has said "Most people don't really care where the idea comes from. They want action, they want something to happen, and they're tired of the prolonged conversation." Gallego has expressed support for President Obama's immigration policies. He supports the DREAM Act.{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Alison|title=Pete Gallego: People want action on immigration reform, not prolonged debate|url=http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2013/02/pete-gallego-people-want-action-on-immigration-reform-not-prolonged-debate/#9023101=0|access-date=May 22, 2014|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|date=February 19, 2013|archive-date=May 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523043308/http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2013/02/pete-gallego-people-want-action-on-immigration-reform-not-prolonged-debate/#9023101=0|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Borunda|first=Daniel|title=State of the Union: Beto O'Rourke, Pete Gallego cheer immigration reform push|url=http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_22578887/orourke-gallego-cheer-immigration-reform-push|access-date=May 22, 2014|newspaper=El Paso Times|date=February 2, 2013|archive-date=May 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523030426/http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_22578887/orourke-gallego-cheer-immigration-reform-push|url-status=live}}

In 2014, Gallego invited Speaker of the House John Boehner to the Southern Border to view the humanitarian crisis and discuss the matter with local border patrol agents and community members.{{cite web|last1=Dumain|first1=Emma|title=Freshman Democrat Invites Speaker to Southwest Border|url=http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/freshman-democrat-invites-house-speaker-to-southwest-border/?dcz=|website=www.rollcall.com|publisher=Roll Call|access-date=August 7, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304123242/http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/freshman-democrat-invites-house-speaker-to-southwest-border/?dcz=|url-status=live}}

Gallego has been supported by the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters.{{cite news|last=Colman|first=Zack|title=Green groups tout election results as victory for clean energy|url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/133946-green-groups-tout-election-results-as-victory-for-clean-energy/|access-date=May 22, 2014|newspaper=The Hill|date=November 7, 2012}} According to Texas Climate News, Gallego's 2012 congressional victory "earned the celebratory attention of climate-action advocates."{{cite news|last=Dawson|first=Bill|title=Sandy + election results = re-energized talk of action against climate change|url=http://texasclimatenews.org/wp/?p=6145|access-date=May 22, 2014|newspaper=Texas Climate News|date=November 24, 2011|archive-date=May 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523012902/http://texasclimatenews.org/wp/?p=6145|url-status=live}} Gallego has voiced support for renewable and clean energy sources. The Sierra Club called Gallego a "clean energy champion."{{cite news|title=Impact of the 2012 Elections|url=http://content.sierraclub.org/politics-elections/impact-2012|access-date=May 22, 2014|newspaper=Sierra Club|archive-date=May 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523012926/http://content.sierraclub.org/politics-elections/impact-2012|url-status=live}} Mother Jones included Gallego in a list of the "Top Five Climate Hawks" who were elected to office in November 2012.{{cite news|last=Sheppard|first=Katie|title=5 Climate Hawks Who Won on Tuesday|url=https://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2012/11?page=4|access-date=May 22, 2014|newspaper=Mother Jones|date=November 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523013118/http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2012/11?page=4|archive-date=May 23, 2014|url-status=dead}}

Born in Alpine, Gallego’s family operated a well-known local restaurant which was a political watering hole.{{Cite web |last=Burka |first=Paul |date=1997-07-01 |title=Food for Thought |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/food-for-thought-3/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Texas Monthly |language=en |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601170407/https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/food-for-thought-3/ |url-status=live }} For a time, he worked in a local clothing store, he served as a radio disc jockey and newscaster, and worked in a local clothing store. He also worked as a student employee in the financial aid office. He graduated from Sul Ross State University in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in political science. In 1985, he earned a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in Austin.

Gallego has been honored through the naming of multiple buildings, including the Pete P. Gallego Center at Sul Ross State in 2001.{{Cite web |title=Pete P. Gallego Center |url=https://srlobos.com/sports/2020/9/2/gallego-center |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Sul Ross State University Athletics |language=en |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602144403/https://srlobos.com/sports/2020/9/2/gallego-center |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2015-12-08 |title=Pete Gallego Elementary School |url=https://schools.texastribune.org/districts/eagle-pass-isd/pete-gallego-elementary-school/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Texas Public Schools |language=en |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602144404/https://schools.texastribune.org/districts/eagle-pass-isd/pete-gallego-elementary-school/ |url-status=live }}

He and his wife have one son, who attends The University of Texas at Austin. He currently works with the Bexar County District Attorney’s office.{{Cite web |last=Zavala |first=Elizabeth |date=2023-03-13 |title=Former lawmaker hired by Bexar County DA to be director of communications |url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/bexar-county-district-attorney-pete-gallego-17837174.php |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=San Antonio Express-News |language=en-US |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328080759/https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/bexar-county-district-attorney-pete-gallego-17837174.php |url-status=live }}

Gallego is a frequent guest columnist in such publications as the Dallas Morning News,{{Cite web |date=2021-04-07 |title=Pete Gallego: Rural Texas universities must come up with fresh ways to help students with debt |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2021/04/07/pete-gallego-rural-texas-universities-must-come-up-with-fresh-ways-to-help-students-with-debt/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Dallas News |language=en |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601170406/https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2021/04/07/pete-gallego-rural-texas-universities-must-come-up-with-fresh-ways-to-help-students-with-debt/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-06 |title=In McCarthy vote, GOP wants conformity, but it's getting democracy |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2023/01/06/in-mccarthy-vote-gop-wants-conformity-but-its-getting-democracy/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Dallas News |language=en |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601161400/https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2023/01/06/in-mccarthy-vote-gop-wants-conformity-but-its-getting-democracy/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-05-25 |title=Without tenure, too many professors will be 'Gone From Texas' |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2023/05/25/without-tenure-too-many-professors-will-be-gone-from-texas/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Dallas News |language=en |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601170406/https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2023/05/25/without-tenure-too-many-professors-will-be-gone-from-texas/ |url-status=live }} Houston Chronicle,{{Cite web |last=Gallego |first=Pete |date=2023-03-10 |title=New Mexico keeps college debt down. Why can't Texas? (Opinion) |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/new-mexico-keeps-college-debt-down-can-t-texas-17825487.php |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Houston Chronicle |language=en-US}} San Antonio Express-News,{{Cite web |last=Gallego |first=Pete |date=2023-03-08 |title=Commentary: Texas GOP censured Tony Gonzales for showing independence |url=https://www.expressnews.com/opinion/commentary/article/commentary-texas-gop-censure-tony-gonzales-17826932.php |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=San Antonio Express-News |language=en-US |archive-date=March 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320012748/https://www.expressnews.com/opinion/commentary/article/commentary-texas-gop-censure-tony-gonzales-17826932.php |url-status=live }} and Inside Higher Ed.{{Cite web |last=Gallego |first=Pete |title=From College President to College Dad, Understanding What Really Matters in Admissions |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/views/2023/05/15/college-president-college-dad-understanding-what-really-matters-admissions |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Inside Higher Ed |language=en |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601170406/https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/views/2023/05/15/college-president-college-dad-understanding-what-really-matters-admissions |url-status=live }} 

{{Portal|Biography|Texas|Law}}

• Hispanics in the United States
• Mexican-Americans
• List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress

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• [https://petegallego.com/ Campaign website]
• {{CongLinks | congbio=G000572 | votesmart=5505 | fec=H2TX23124 | congress=pete-gallego/2164 }}
• {{C-SPAN|79696}}

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Category:1961 births

Category:Living people

Category:Democratic Party members of the Texas House of Representatives

Category:Hispanic and Latino American members of the United States Congress

Category:Hispanic and Latino American state legislators in Texas

Category:People from Alpine, Texas

Category:Sul Ross State University alumni

Category:University of Texas School of Law alumni

Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Texas

Category:Candidates in the 2016 United States elections

Category:21st-century members of the Texas Legislature

Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives

Category:20th-century members of the Texas Legislature