Juan Mendez (politician)

Juan Jose Mendez (born May 18, 1985) is an American politician and State Senator from Arizona. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Juan Mendez
Member of the Arizona Senate
from the 26th district
Assumed office
January 9, 2017
Preceded byAndrew Sherwood
Member of the Arizona House of Representatives
from the 26th district
In office
2013 – January 9, 2017
Succeeded byAthena Salman
Personal details
Born (1985-05-18) May 18, 1985
Arizona, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceTempe, Arizona, U.S.
EducationPhoenix College (AA)
Arizona State University (BA)
WebsiteOfficial

Education

Born and raised in Arizona, Mendez attended Tolleson Union High School and received an associate degree from Phoenix College.[1] He later received a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University, majoring in political science.[2]

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.[2]

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.[3]

Mendez is an atheist, and one of few atheist politicians serving in the United States.[4][5] Mendez gained national attention in 2013 for choosing to open a House meeting with a secular speech, rather than a traditional religious prayer.[6] During his speech, Mendez quoted astronomer Carl Sagan.[7]

Mendez, along with fellow representatives Clark, Hale, Larkin, and Mach, introduced HB2283 in 2016 to enact Ranked-Choice Voting for all Arizona elections. The text of the bill contained provisions for Instant Runoff Voting, for single-seat positions, and for Single Transferable Vote, for multi-seat positions. It also contained provisions to educate voters on Ranked-Choice Voting, and to ensure voting machines would be compliant with ranked ballots. The bill was referred to both the House Elections Committee and the House Rules Committee, but received no action in either committee, and received no floor votes.[8]

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.[2]

In 2018, Juan Mendez was accused by a right-leaning website, which was confirmed by The Arizona Republic, of plagiarizing some responses to a questionnaire.[9]

Personal life

In mid-March 2019, Mendez became engaged to fellow legislator, Arizona Representative Athena Salman.[10]

References
  1. Juan Mendez's Biography
  2. "Juan Mendez". Arizona State House. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  3. "Phoenix Arizona Election Questionnaire for State Legislature, JUAN MENDEZ". Arizona Central. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  4. Atheist, Friendly. "Arizona State Sen. Juan Mendez, an Atheist, Wins His Democratic Primary". Friendly Atheist. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  5. Hendley, Matthew (March 4, 2014). "Atheist Representative Juan Mendez Brings More Non-Prayer to the Arizona House". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  6. Reinhart, Mary (May 22, 2013). "Ariz. lawmaker comes out as atheist during meeting". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  7. 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.
  8. "Bill Status Inquiry". apps.azleg.gov. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  9. "Arizona state Sen. Juan Mendez accused of plagiarism". azcentral.com. March 30, 2018. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  10. stephenson, hank. "MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TO EXPLAIN MY LOVE". Yellow Sheet Report. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
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