The Fountain Hills Democratic Club (FHDC) hosts Congressman Ruben Gallego (Arizona-3) Thursday, Oct. 12.

The meeting will be held at the Community Center, 13001 N. La Montana Drive, Thursday, Oct. 12, at 6:30 p.m.

Gallego is running for the U.S. Senate. He will be joined by candidate for the Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Laura Metcalf.

Following their presentations, Fountain Hills Chamber President and CEO, Betsy LaVoie, “Yes for Fountain Hills” Committee Chair Al Lorenz and FHUSD Superintendent Dr. Cain Jagodzinski, will take part in a question-and-answer session pertaining to town concerns.

Gallego is the son of an immigrant mother from Colombia and an immigrant father from Mexico. He was raised in Chicago along with his three sisters by a single mother.

Gallego worked throughout high school as a janitor, line cook and in a meat packing plant. He attended Harvard University before enlisting in the Marine Corps. While deployed in Iraq, Gallego’s company saw many casualties. He wrote a book about this experience entitled, “They Called Us ‘Lucky:’ The Life and Afterlife of the Iraq War’s Hardest Hit Unit.”

After returning to his home in Arizona, Gallego became a community organizer and served in the State House of Representatives and currently serves in the U.S. Congress.

“He is the highest-ranking Latino on the House Armed Services Committee and Chairman of the Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee,” Chris Clemens, spokesperson for the FHDC, said. “Gallego has never forgotten where he came from and believes the American dream is falling out of reach for many Arizona families. He’s running to change that for all Americans, regardless of their party affiliation.”

Gallego is running for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat.

“We are hoping Ruben will attend our meeting, but because of the situation taking place in the House at the present time, that may not be possible,” Clemens said. “There may be a Zoom session with him instead.”

The meeting will also include a presentation by Dr. Laura Metcalf, candidate for the Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools. Metcalf served 27 years as an educator from high school teacher to district-level administrator. She has worked in the Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools office as a leader of schools within the county.

Present at this meeting will also be the Fountain Hills “School Team,” Clemens said, which includes Betsy LaVoie, Al Lorenz and Dr. Cain Jagodzinski. The three will be part of a question-and-answer session with the audience regarding local issues.

The FHDC will also discuss its participation in upcoming events in the community, including the upcoming Spooky Blast, the Thanksgiving Day Parade and Make a Difference Day.

Although the meeting officially begins at 6:30 p.m., participants are welcome to attend the social time beginning at 6 p.m., which includes snacks and an opportunity to converse with other members of the club.

For more information about the Fountain Hills Democratic Club, visit fhdemclub.org.