Debunking Claims: JoAnna Mendoza’s Stance on Law Enforcement Funding
Right-wing media reports allege that Democratic candidate JoAnna Mendoza supports defunding law enforcement, despite her advocacy for increasing police resources. Mendoza, a nonprofit leader and military veteran, is contesting the U.S. House seat in Arizona’s 6th District against Republican incumbent Rep. Juan Ciscomani.
A report from Fox News on March 4 claimed to have found footage of Mendoza supporting the reallocation of police funds to other government programs. This was characterized as a move to “defund the police.” The footage originated from a 2020 town hall during her state Senate campaign.
The video referenced by Fox News is misleading. In response to a question on how to address systemic racism in law enforcement, Mendoza emphasized a holistic approach to public safety with increased social services funding, clarifying that she did not advocate cutting police funds. In fact, she supported policy changes that would require more resources for law enforcement.
“I support policy solutions that hold officers accountable, such as body cams, ensuring that we have an independent oversight committee for investigations … and also ensuring that we have a database that would capture police officer misconduct,” Mendoza stated. Such reforms typically gain support from police unions.
Further detailing her views, Mendoza said, “I support the reallocation of funding to programs that would allow people to live their best lives,” including housing, public education, healthcare, economic stability, and environmental safety initiatives.
In another town hall during the same campaign, Mendoza explicitly stated that she does not support defunding the police, paralleling the commitment of police officers to her own military service. “I do not support defunding the police,” she affirmed.
In contrast, Rep. Ciscomani supported the 2023 Limit, Save, Grow Act, which proposed significant cuts in federal funding for law enforcement, courts, and prisons, alongside reductions for Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Act passed in the House with Republican support but was blocked in the Senate by Democrats.
Kyle McCarthy, Mendoza’s spokesperson, described the claims against her as “categorically false, a lie, and a political smear from D.C. hacks hoping to save Juan Ciscomani from an early retirement.”
The Cook Political Report has labeled the electoral race between Mendoza and Ciscomani as highly competitive, indicating a toss-up scenario.
