JoAnna Mendoza

JoAnna Mendoza was born in Florence, Arizona.[1] She served in the U.S. Navy from 1994 to 1997 and the U.S. Marine Corps from 1998 to 2016. Mendoza did two tours in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan.[2]

Mendoza earned a bachelor's degree from American Military University in 2013 and a master's degree from Grand Canyon University in 2019. Her career experience includes working as a veterans outreach coordinator for Pima Community College, a program manager at A Place Called Home, and a veteran services representative for Congressman Tom O'Halleran (D).[1]

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Campaign websiteMendoza's campaign website stated the following:JoAnna is a retired Marine, a mom, and a proud rural Arizonan who believes that the government should work for us – the people. She spent 20 years serving our country in military uniform and she knows what it means to lead under pressure, stay mission-focused, and deliver results with limited time and resources. JoAnna understands that servant leadership isn’t about serving yourself, it’s about serving the people you’ve been elected to represent. In Congress, JoAnna will bring mission-focused, action-oriented leadership and will work with anyone – Democrat, Republican, or Independent – to deliver for Southern Arizona and the nation.Lowering Costs & Protecting Our Families and SeniorsAs a working mom, JoAnna knows what it’s like to stretch a dollar and worry about rising costs. Right now, families are paying too much – for groceries, gas, healthcare, housing, and utilities. Instead of getting ahead, families are falling further behind.In Congress, JoAnna will work to lower costs by cracking down on price gouging costing families an extra $2,000 a year by strengthening consumer protections and stopping unfair price disparities in rural communities. A nursing mom should be able to afford a can of formula. She will work to modernize the Child Tax Credit to deliver relief to working families and oppose reckless tariffs that drive up costs. JoAnna is committed to delivering real-practical solutions because our families deserve a stable healthy future.Social Security is a lifeline for older Arizonans who have worked their entire lives, paid into the system, and deserve to retire with dignity. And as someone with an aging parent, she knows that the social security benefit isn’t enough to cover basic necessities. JoAnna will oppose any efforts to cut seniors’ hard-earned benefits. She strongly supports strengthening Social Security and exploring ways to increase benefits, especially for seniors living on fixed incomes.Bring Good-Paying Jobs to Southern Arizona & Protecting WorkersGrowing up in rural poverty and the proud daughter of farmworkers, JoAnna saw how hard her parents worked and (still) struggled to make ends meet. She believes working one job should allow you to provide for your family through a livable wage, benefits, and the ability to retire with dignity.JoAnna also understands that a 4-year college degree isn’t the only path to success. She supports workforce training, apprenticeships, and technical education that prepare Arizonans for good-paying jobs in the trades and growing industries.In Congress, JoAnna will work to support small businesses, bring good-paying jobs back to our cities and towns, and ensure that companies who put roots down in Arizona hire and retain workers from our communities.JoAnna also strongly supports the right to unionize and believes workers should be treated with dignity and have a fair shot at the American Dream.Strengthening our Healthcare SystemJoAnna knows firsthand how critical access to healthcare is. Growing up, her family relied on Medicaid, and that access allowed her to grow up healthy and strong enough to go on to serve her country in military uniform for 20 years. That experience shaped her belief that every child and family deserves that same opportunity to live a healthy life.Healthcare today costs too much. Everyone, regardless of their insurance coverage, feels the pinch when millions of people lose access to healthcare. Rural healthcare facilities across Southern Arizona are especially at risk because of the cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill. That’s why JoAnna will work to reverse disastrous cuts to healthcare, including to AHCCCS and enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.In Congress, JoAnna will fight to protect healthcare for people with pre-existing conditions, expand the number of prescription drug prices Medicare can negotiate, and invest in training more doctors and nurses. She opposes privatizing Medicare, which would lead to higher prices and worse care for patients, and supports expanding coverage to include vision, hearing, and dental.Safe Communities, Strong Borders & Real Immigration SolutionsAs a single mother, JoAnna worries about her child, and wants every child to grow up in a safe, crime-free community. People who break the law must be held accountable, including and especially those that commit violent crimes or smuggle illicit drugs like fentanyl and dangerous weapons into our neighborhoods.As a retired Marine, JoAnna understands the call to serve and has deep respect for men and women in law enforcement who do their difficult jobs with honor. It’s why she supports funding for law enforcement and ensuring officers have the critical resources to keep every Arizonan safe, including training and body cameras. JoAnna does not support slashing police budgets, and she also believes that public safety is stronger when we invest in hiring more crisis response professionals, improve transparency, and build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.In Congress, JoAnna will work with both parties to strengthen border security at ports of entry, deporting violent criminals, holding cartels accountable, and ensuring that immigration enforcement is professional, properly trained, and consistent with the law.JoAnna believes in a fair immigration system that reflects our values as Americans. She supports creating legal pathways to citizenship for people who work hard, follow the law, and contribute to their communities. She supports legislation to strengthen oversight of detention facilities and restore independent audits. JoAnna also supports Senator Kelly and Senator Gallego’s bicameral Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act.Climate, Water & Energy Security for Rural ArizonaHaving grown up in rural Arizona, JoAnna knows that rising energy costs and water shortages put real pressure on families, farmers, and rural communities. She believes Arizona can lead the way in building a more affordable, reliable, and self-sufficient future.In Congress, JoAnna will support investments in American-made energy, including clean energy, which will save money for ratepayers. While Ciscomani has sided with utility companies and voted to roll back clean energy investments, JoAnna will stand up and protect local solar projects that bring energy online faster, lower costs, and reduce harmful pollution in our air. .As new industries like data centers expand, JoAnna will fight to make sure that these industries bring their own energy and don’t drive up costs for Arizonans. Her priority will be to keep utility costs from rising, protect workers and consumers, and safeguard our limited water supply.JoAnna understands that water security is critical to Arizona’s future. She will fight to strengthen water infrastructure, secure Arizona’s fair share of Colorado River resources, protect groundwater, and clean up contaminants like PFAS to ensure safe drinking water.As the daughter of farmworkers, JoAnna grew up working Southern Arizona’s cotton fields. She has a deep respect for the state’s agricultural economy, which is essential to providing for and feeding the nation. JoAnna will push for a five year Farm Bill that provides certainty to farmers and ranchers, invests in rural communities, and ensures a healthy food supply for our families.Stability and consistency for farmers, also means stopping reckless tariffs that jack up prices on equipment and fertilizer and make it difficult for farmers and other small business owners to plan ahead. JoAnna will also fight to restore funding for programs that help farmers, including enhanced ACA subsidies.Restoring Trust and Accountability in GovernmentJoAnna isn’t a politician; she’s a retired Marine and a mom who believes that public service is about accountability, integrity, and looking out for ordinary people. Too many politicians in D.C. use their positions to benefit themselves instead of the people they serve. JoAnna has zero tolerance for corruption. JoAnna supports banning members of Congress, their families, and other top government officials from trading individual stocks while in office. She will work to strengthen transparency laws, and ensure that the public can clearly see how decisions are made and how taxpayer dollars are spent.Restoring trust in government means making Congress accessible to the people it serves. In her first 100 days, JoAnna will bring Congress back to the community by reinstating town halls and launching “Congress in Your Community” events across AZ-06 – including rural and underserved areas – so that every Arizonan has a direct line to their representative. JoAnna will also work to modernize how Congress connects with constituents by adopting a mobile-first constituent engagement platform to provide real-time updates on legislation, explain how decisions impact families, and give constituents a direct way to raise concerns, report issues, and share their experiences.Keeping Our Promise to VeteransArizona’s Sixth Congressional District is home to more than 80,000 veterans and such key military installations as Davis Monthan Air Force Base and Fort Huachuca. As a U.S. Navy and Marine Corps veteran, and later as a veteran caseworker for Congressman Tom O’Halleran, JoAnna spent countless hours serving our country. She is committed to caring for our nation’s veterans and military families. Like thousands of others in the district, JoAnna gets her healthcare from the Tucson VA Medical Center. She will always fight to protect veterans’ healthcare and benefits, and will be a vocal opponent of cuts to the VA.In Congress, JoAnna will fight to restore funding to the VA that were the result of the reckless DOGE cuts.. She will work to expand VA specialty care in rural communities, increase access through telehealth and mobile services, and fix transportation barriers by improving eligibility and reimbursement rates. She will support legislation that strengthens mental health services, expands housing support, and invests in job training and transition programs. JoAnna will also work to modernize VA electronic health records to improve coordination of care and strengthen protections against predatory “claim sharks” who exploit veterans seeking benefits. Above all, she will fight to fully fund and protect the VA to ensure no veteran is left behind.National Security and Standing with Our AlliesAs a retired Marine who served in such combat zones as Iraq and Afghanistan, JoAnna is committed to keeping American families safe. She believes national security starts in Arizona’s backyard by securing our Southern border and rebuilding our partnership with Mexico. This is a key component to our regional stability. She is a strong proponent of diplomacy, working with our allies, and honoring key alliances like NATO.JoAnna is dedicated to supporting servicemembers and military families. As our men and women face evolving global threats, JoAnna believes that it’s essential that they have the training, equipment, and services needed to accomplish their mission. She will work to reassert Congress’s role in national security decisions, demand Congressional approval before committing U.S. troops to new conflicts.JoAnna knows that our servicemembers and their families rely on responsible leaders who understand the weight of sending troops into harm’s way. She believes we must exhaust diplomatic options before putting American lives at risk. After 20 years of war in the Middle East, she is committed to ensuring we are not sending the next generation into endless conflicts without a clear mission, strategy, and path forward.— JoAnna Mendoza's campaign website (August 1, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Campaign ads

"Daughter (Español)" – Mendoza campaign ad, released July 27, 2026

"Daughter" – Mendoza campaign ad, released July 27, 2026

"What Matters Most" – Mendoza campaign ad, released July 9, 2026

"Never Expires (Español)" – Mendoza campaign ad, released June 26, 2026

"Heat (Español)" – Mendoza campaign ad, released June 24, 2026

"Heat" – Mendoza campaign ad, released June 24, 2026

"Never Expires" – Mendoza campaign ad, released June 24, 2026

"Lead, Follow, or Get the Hell Out of the Way" – Mendoza campaign ad, released March 28, 2025

View more ads here:

YouTube

Video for [the profile publisher]

Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased April 19, 2020

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

JoAnna Mendoza is a retired Marine, mom, and native Arizonan. She's a small-town kid from a rural community and a proud product of government assistance programs like food stamps and section 8 housing. Her story isn't unique. It's the story of many children growing up in Arizona today. It's just one that isn't often told. At the age of 17, JoAnna answered the call to serve our country and joined the military. After 20 years of honorable military service and several deployments to combat environments in Iraq and Afghanistan, JoAnna returned home to Arizona with her son. Seeking to continue a life of service, she began volunteering and was appointed to serve as a governing board member in her small rural school district in Red Rock, AZ. She has had the honor and privilege of serving our communities as a congressional staffer in Arizona's First Congressional District. JoAnna never planned to run for office, but she saw the need for elected leaders who will fight for Arizonans. We deserve an Arizona where everyone can succeed, regardless of zip code - with access to quality public education, high-paying jobs, affordable healthcare, and a sustainable environment. A place where all children can grow up in safe and prospering communities. JoAnna understands the issues impacting Legislative District 11. She fought her way out of poverty, fought to protect our Constitutional rights, and now she stands ready to fight for the people of Arizona as State Senator in District 11.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Community Access & Engagement: I will ensure the people of District 11 have access to speak with me to share concerns and valuable insights about the District's needs.Civility & Working Across the Aisle: I will place principles over politics, putting the interests of the people and the District first.Creating Action-Oriented Solutions: I will place a priority on solving problems, focusing on creating solutions that are viable and implementable.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My mission is to ensure that the communities of District 11 are safe and thriving. My first order of business as your State Senator will be to transform the government we have into the responsive government that we need. I am committed to improving our public education system, increasing access to affordable healthcare, and preserving our natural environment and scarce water resources. I am also passionate about ensuring that our veterans, service members, and their families get the support they need.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I believe that integrity and loyalty to the people they serve are critical traits that elected officials should demonstrate and operate under. Elected officials should have the courage to stand up for what is right, even if it's not popular or means losing an election.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

As an elected official, serving people is the main part of your job. My life has always been one of service. Service to my country, service to my community, and service to the people of Arizona. The other part of serving as an elected official is listening to understand, not to respond. I am dedicated to being a voice for the people of District 11 and listening to the needs of our communities. Lastly, elected officials need to have a fighting spirit that will enable them to find solutions for the problems affecting those you represent and serve. I'm a fighter. In the Marine Corps, as a mother, and in the State Legislature, I will never stop fighting for the people of District 11 and our future.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was before the age of 10, working alongside my parents, who were farm workers in the cotton fields. It was back-breaking work, but it taught me the value of hard work and earning a dollar. It also exposed me to the reality of how many people are forced to work long hours in challenging conditions with little pay and no benefits, and the need for stronger workers' rights.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My favorite book is the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It teaches some valuable life lessons: 1) Life is a journey, enjoy it.; 2) You will fail, but don't give up; and 3) Don't let fear keep you from achieving your dreams.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Besides the current COVID-19 pandemic, the biggest challenge that our state faces is political partisanship. Unless we can come together to find solutions for the challenges facing our communities, we will all continue to pay the price for our inability to work together as a team for the greater good.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes. We cannot continue to operate with an "us versus them" mentality. The division in our state and in our nation is harmful. We must take control of both chambers of the State Legislature, but we cannot turn around and treat others the same way they've treated us. An eye for an eye approach doesn't get us anywhere. I will always live by my Democratic values and work to improve the lives of the people of Arizona - fighting for public education, accessible and affordable healthcare, protecting our natural resources, and equality for all Arizonans. I will never compromise those values. There are many in the current GOP majority who I will never see eye to eye with on many issues. But I believe that we can find common ground and shared values with others across the aisle. The ultimate goal is improving the lives of the people who we represent. We need to make sure that is always our focus and find a way back to developing bipartisan solutions rather than fighting over Party lines.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Although legislators do not get to choose which committees they would like to serve on, I believe that my skills and experience would be best utilized by serving on the following committees: Education, Higher Education and Workforce Development, Rules, Health and Human Services, Natural Resources and Energy, and Appropriations.