Juan Mendez (politician)
Juan Mendez | |
---|---|
Member of the Arizona Senate from the 26th district | |
Assumed office January 9, 2017 | |
Preceded by | Ed Ableser |
Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 26th district | |
In office 2013 – January 9, 2017 | |
Succeeded by | Athena Salman |
Personal details | |
Born | May 18, 1985 |
Political party | Democratic |
Residence | Tempe, Arizona |
Alma mater | Phoenix College Arizona State University |
Website | [1] |
Juan Jose Mendez (born May 18, 1985) is an American politician and State Senator from Arizona. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Personal life and education
Mendez attended Tolleson Union High School, and received an associate degree from Phoenix College. He later received a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University, majoring in political science.[1] Mendez describes Cesar Chavez as the Arizonan political figure he admires most.[2]
Political career
Mendez was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2012. He serves on the Insurance and Retirement Committee and the Reform and Human Services Committee.[1]
Mendez supports closing "tax loopholes" for out-of-state corporations, raising education funding, and more restrictions on gifts to legislators. He opposes Arizona SB 1070 and allowing guns in schools.[2]
Mendez gained national attention in 2013 for choosing to open a House meeting with a secular speech, rather than a traditional religious prayer.[3] During his speech, Mendez quoted astronomer Carl Sagan.[4]
Mendez serves on the City of Phoenix Human Services Advisory Committee, and manages the nonprofit Community Voice Mail, an organization devoted to helping the impoverished.[1]
Juan Mendez is accused of plagiarism. <https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2018/03/29/arizona-state-sen-juan-mendez-accused-plagiarism/464157002/>
References
- ^ a b c "Juan Mendez". Arizona State House. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
- ^ a b "Phoenix Arizona Election Questionnaire for State Legislature, JUAN MENDEZ". Arizona Central. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
- ^ Reinhart, Mary (May 22, 2013). "Ariz. lawmaker comes out as atheist during meeting". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
- ^ Hendley, Matthew (May 21, 2013). "Atheist State Lawmaker Quotes Carl Sagan Instead of Doing Prayer Before House Session". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
External links
- Official page at the Arizona State Legislature
- Campaign Website
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Biography at Ballotpedia
- Financial information (state office) at the National Institute for Money in State Politics