Vicki L. Barber, PebbleCreek Democratic Club president (center), with Brian Donnelly (left), and Dr. Quacy Smith (right), candidates running to represent CD9 in 2024. (Photo by Gillian Driscoll)
At the first meeting of the season, the PebbleCreek Democratic Club welcomed almost 200 people to the Tuscany Falls Ballroom to hear from the candidates vying to run against Paul Gosar (R) to represent the residents of Congressional District 9 (CD9) in the House of Representatives in the 2024 election. PebbleCreek is now a part of CD9 due to redistricting.
CD9 is a huge district covering most of western Arizona. Snaking around the west side of town to include parts of Goodyear, the district extends to Yuma in the south and continues up the western state line with California and across the northern state border with Utah. The district is mostly rural, but this redistricting has brought in some higher density urban areas thus increasing the population and changing the demographic. In the last election Gosar ran unopposed, and so it is encouraging to have not one but two prospective challengers willing to represent Democratic ideals in the west of the state.
Originally there were three candidates who declared their intentions to run but, at the meeting, David Lucier announced that he was withdrawing due to personal and family issues. The two remaining candidates are Brandon Donelly, an ex-marine, event planner, and logistics coordinator and Dr. Quacy Smith, a Phoenix lawyer, pastor, and author who is also an ex-marine and an ex-police officer.
Both candidates introduced themselves and made a short statement about why they were running. Both stated that they believe passionately in freedom of choice and that they were running, not for personal gain, but to represent their fellow Arizonans, especially those who are underrepresented in our state.
Mr. Donelly and Dr. Smith answered questions that covered a wide range, including immigration and border security, women’s reproductive rights, healthcare, education, climate change, tax reform, judicial and prison reform, and the current state of government and politics. Both stressed their commitment to helping improve the lives of all Arizonans and to equality.
The audience was most attentive to the candidates’ presentations, and there was much agreement and applause. Petitions for Dr. Smith were available for signing, and Mr. Donelly said that he would be bringing his petitions to the club in the future.
The Democratic Club is most grateful to both candidates for their honesty and candid answers to the questions on important and pertinent issues. The 2024 election is of the utmost importance to our state and CD9 residents in particular.
The PebbleCreek Democratic Club meets every month September to May on the first Wednesday of the month in the Tuscany Falls Ballroom. Social hour begins at 6 p.m., and the meeting commences at 7 p.m. Our meetings are open to all who are interested in the politics and issues of concern to West Valley residents. See our website for more information—www.pcdemclub.org.