The Arizona Democrat Party’s path to reclaiming the U.S. House majority could face new complications in southern Arizona as past remarks by Democratic congressional candidate JoAnna Mendoza are drawing renewed scrutiny in Arizona’s competitive Sixth Congressional District. Mendoza, the Democrat candidate challenging Republican Congressman Juan Ciscomani in Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District, is facing growing criticism after a video resurfaced showing her advocating for reallocating police funding and making sharply critical comments about law enforcement during the height of the 2020 national unrest surrounding policing.
The footage, taken during a June 11, 2020, Clean Elections Commission debate for Legislative District 11, shows Mendoza discussing policing and public safety in terms that align with the national “defund the police” movement. Her comments stand in stark contrast to the political narrative that she’s a champion of the police.
In the video, Mendoza stated:
“Seeing a police officer is fear… There are hundreds of murders at the hands of police brutality.”
She also supported the “defund” movement by advocating for reallocating police funding to social programs. This policy position became politically toxic for many Democrats following the 2020 election cycle.
The resurfaced comments come after national Democrats spent years attempting to distance themselves from “defund the police” rhetoric after internal polling and election analyses suggested the messaging damaged candidates in swing districts across the country.
One Democratic strategist famously described “defund the police” as “the three stupidest words in the English language,” warning the slogan alienated moderate and suburban voters.
CD-6 remains one of the most competitive congressional races in the country heading into November. Political analysts continue to rate the district as a toss-up, making messaging on crime and public safety especially significant.
The Republican National Committee quickly seized on the remarks.
“Reallocating funds from the police is the same as defunding the police, and everyone with a brain knows that,” said RNC spokesman Nick Poche in a statement provided to reporters. “Mendoza thinks Arizonans are stupid, but her rabid anti-law enforcement rhetoric speaks for itself, and voters know she’s a defund the police extremist who hates law enforcement.”
Republicans also point to more recent comments from Mendoza, arguing the rhetoric has not substantially changed since 2020. According to statements circulated by GOP operatives this year, Mendoza said law enforcement officials “are not going out to catch criminals, as a matter of fact, it’s the complete opposite. And they’re even killing American citizens.”
Meanwhile, Ciscomani has positioned himself as a moderate Republican with bipartisan appeal. Republicans frequently highlight his legislative effectiveness and his ability to work across party lines to maintain support among independents and suburban swing voters in the district. With control of Congress potentially hinging on a small number of swing districts nationwide, both parties are expected to contest Arizona’s Sixth District aggressively in the months ahead.
The original debate footage can also be viewed here: Clean Elections Debate Footage