Gillian Driscoll
Since the beginning of 2025, PebbleCreek (PC) Democratic Club members have been working hard researching and gathering information on issues that are of concern to them and also to many in the general public. These issues include Education, Immigration, Climate Change, Voting Rights, Healthcare, Judiciary, Social Security, Taxes, and Veterans Rights.
At the upcoming September club meeting, the first following summer break, we have chosen to focus on veterans, their needs, and how they are being affected by the action and policies of the current administration.
Our speaker will be Ricardo Reyes, the Arizona Lead Organizer for Common Defense. Founded in 2016, Common Defense is the largest grassroots veterans’ organization in the U.S. empowering veterans and military families to speak and organize around the issues that matter most to their members. Their purpose states that they “vow to organize together against those who seek to divide us so they cannot rig our systems and economy for their own gain.” With over 200,000 members, Common Defense mobilizes support for political candidates who reflect their values and trains members to be organizers and advocates for progressive legislation at the local, state, and federal levels, in addition to growing and informing their membership.
Ricardo Reyes is a United States Marine Corps veteran and first generation immigrant. He was born and raised in Phoenix. The oldest of five siblings, this father of three now fights to secure a better future for everyone as the Arizona lead organizer for Common Defense. The club looks forward to welcoming him and listening to what he has to say. We have many questions!
PC Democratic Club members are gearing up to work hard to inform members of important current issues and to support Arizona Democratic candidates in the 2026 midterm election. There is much to be done and enthusiasm is running high. The next year will be challenging both politically and economically, and PC Democrats are ready to rise to the tasks of this demanding time.
The September meeting of the PebbleCreek Democratic Club will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 3, in the Tuscany Falls Ballroom. Social hour begins at 6 p.m. and the meeting starts at 6:45 p.m. Club meetings are open and everyone is welcome to attend.