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October 28th 2025 Len’s Political Note #762 JoAnna Mendoza Arizona 06
2026 General Election
There are battlegrounds and battlegrounds. Some are actual wars. Some are struggles that shape and test our lives. JoAnna Mendoza has had her share of both.
The oldest daughter of farmworkers in Arizona, JoAnna Mendoza was eight years old when she began working with her parents in cotton fields – work that continued every summer until she was old enough to decide to leave it. Of that work and her decision she recalls “The summer grind motivated [me] to get a job at a restaurant, as soon as I turned sixteen. Any indoor job was better than working in 115-degree temperatures. I believe that my parents exposed me to backbreaking work, so that I would strive to get an education. What a great strategy. All my parents wanted was for me to live a life with fewer struggles than they had endured.”
JoAnna Mendoza joined the United States Navy at age 17, completed her stint, and decided to reenlist. This time, she joined the Marines. In the Marines, she was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, became a drill instructor. A Gunnery Sargent, she was a leader in the military and an observer of the sacrifices that were demanded from those in the military and the opportunities the military offered.
After she was sexually assaulted, she persisted in her complaint despite the violator’s denial. He was separated from the marines; she became Staff Non-Commissioned Officer for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response. Conflicted about her worthiness for leadership, she was reluctant to “take a seat at the leadership table,” then decided she needed to do just that as an example for the women who observed her in the Marines. She earned a BA in Intelligence Studies from the American Military Institute with an emphasis on counterintelligence and served as the Sargeant Instructor at a Marine Officer Candidate School. Among her responsibilities was to prepare Sheryl Sandberg, the META Chief Operating Officer, for a role in preparing Marines to become officers.
Less glamorous tasks included serving as a victims’ advocate, substance abuse control officer, curriculum creator for the Corporals’ leadership course of which she was the chief instructor, and leading an Afghanistan team preparing military equipment for redistribution back to the States. Mentoring other women was a role she saw herself doing for a lifetime.
A gay woman, she became a single mother intentionally while in the service. But as a single mother she decided, in 2016, to leave the service rather than be deployed for a third time to a combat zone. She was preparing herself for civilian life by getting a Master’s degree from Grand Canyon University in leadership with an emphasis on disaster preparedness.
Her son is eight now. She did not find the transition to civilian life easy. Child care was expensive and hard to find. Prospective employers told her that her work in the military did not translate to civilian life. She has a vivid memory of a suggestion that she consider becoming a truck driver.
Civilian life worked eventually. She wrote frequently for Arizona magazines and newspapers, ran unsuccessfully for state senator, became the Executive Director of the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, and created her own firm.
JoAnna Mendoza is running against second term Member of Congress Juan Ciscomani, a former staffer focusing on the southern border and immigration under Republican Governor Doug Ducey, who preceded the current Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs. Ciscomani defeated Law Professor Kirsten Engel by 10,822 votes in 2024 and by 5,232 votes in 2022 in this 25% Hispanic district in the southeastern corner of Arizona.
Neither candidate has an intraparty opponent, at least not yet.. Through September 30, JoAnna Mendoza had $2 million in receipts, a respectable number for a Congressional challenger. She spent a fair amount to introduce herself and has one million left. The incumbent had $2.9 million in receipts through September 30 and had $2.4 million remaining for that reporting period. JoAnna Mendoza needs your help. DONATE to her campaign. She could win this 2026 election if she can raise enough money to compete. DONATE.
INTERLUDE
These are not normal times. Our collective hair should be on fire. Donald Trump is demonstrating that the guardrails are gone. He is demolishing the White House, the building created as the “People’s House.” He is planning on a 230 million dollar gift from the Justice Department.
Notwithstanding the occasional feint, Trump emulates Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin. Trump seeks to gain as much power over and more wealth from his country than Putin has achieved in Russia. Without a majority in the House or Senate, with no sway in the Supreme Court, Democrats are nearly helpless as they fight a rear-guard guerilla war via the Senate filibuster along with a few state by state battles.
Democrats should enlist Republicans willing to oppose Trump. Make deals. Policies are not as important as preserving Democracy. Do whatever is needed to preserve enough democracy so that we can have genuine elections in 2026 and 2028.
That’s enough. Back to business as usual. Back to my hope that we will have sufficiently fair elections in 2026 so that the money and energy we put toward electing Democrats can succeed in preserving the country we know and love.
Other Arizona Races
Elections in November, 2026
ARIZONA
Arizona 01. The persistently vulnerable Republican Congressman David Schweikert has opted to run for governor. We have a bunch of Democrats and a bunch of Republicans running. Financial information is as of September 30 unless otherwise indicated.
Democrats
Ex Television news anchor Marlene Galan-Woods had total revenue of $1.8 million
Businessman Jonathan Treble had revenue of $1.7 million
Doctor and former 2024 nominee Amish Shah had revenue of $600,000
Businessman Rick McCartney had total revenue of $500,000
Attorney Mark Robert Gordon had total revenue of $200,000
We do not yet have a Democratic front runner. Maybe we have two.
The Republicans have no candidates at all – almost certainly because the incumbent’s announcement is recent.
Arizona 02. Even though the Republican incumbent defeated the probable Democrat nominee by 37,450 votes in 2024, this district in northeastern Arizona, with a population that is 55% white, 20% Native American, and 17% Hispanic is not entirely out of reach. The second term incumbent Congressman, Eli Crane, is among the most right wing in the House.
Dem Jonathan Nez, former head of the Navajo Nation, had total revenue of $900,000
Repyblican Inc Eli Crane had revenue of $3.9 million
DONATE early to Jonathan Nez. Help him catch up.
Governor
Inc Democrat Katie Hobbs has $5.7 million cash on hand. DONATE She won, in 2022, by 7,217 votes. That would be close in a Congressional election. See Len’s Political Note #712
Republican Businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson reported $1 million cash on hand. (Wealthy, what is in her official account may not be relevant)
Republican Congressman Andy Biggs has $600,000 cash on hand
Republican Congressman David Schweikert has just entered the race and did not report
Attorney General
Inc Democrat Kris Mayes raised $600,000 in the third quarter of 2025 giving her $1,5 million cash on hand. DONATE. She was elected by 208 votes in 2022. See Len’s Political Note #714
Republican State Senate President Warren Peterson raised $800,000 giving him $1.1 million cash on hand
Republican Attorney Rodney Glassman raised $500,000 giving him $2.8 million cash on hand
Secretary of State
Inc Democrat Adrian Fontes has been defending the integrity of elections during these very contentious times. DONATE
Republican State Rep Alex Kolodin is opposing him
State Treasurer
Democratic College Board Chair Nick Mansour raised $200,000 in the third quarter DONATE
Republican Businessman Elijah Norman donated $1.1 million of his own money and reported $1 million cash on hand,
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Former School Board Member Democrat Michael Butts had $2,000 cash on hand
Incumbent Republican Tom Horne, who sought greater accountability for the state voucher plan, had $100,000 cash on hand.
Former Republican State treasurer Kimberly Yee had $200,000 cash on hand. Recruited to run because the incumbent wanted accountability in connection with the state’s voucher system.
If you are going to donate, consider the Republican incumbent.
Neighboring New Mexico
New Mexico 02. Inc Gabe Vasquez is a blue collar conservationist. His district is a little bluer than it once was, but it is still a toss-up. DONATE See Len’s Political Note #755.
Governor. Former Congresswoman, former Secretary of the Interior is the likely Democratic nominee, though County District Attorney Sam Bregman has a shot. Republican Mayor Greg Hull is the only Republican running so far.
