Ciscomani Ad Misrepresents Mendoza’s Stance on Transgender Athletics

Arizona Ad Campaign Sparks Controversy Over Transgender Athlete Legislation

An advertisement from Arizona Representative Juan Ciscomani has come under scrutiny for inaccurately depicting Democrat JoAnna Mendoza’s views. The ad claims Mendoza referred to parents in her district as “toxic.”

The advertisement includes a testimonial from a Tucson mother, who is worried about transgender athletes competing in girls’ sports. She asserts that Mendoza opposes a ban on transgender participation in school sports and accuses her of labeling parents like herself as “toxic.”

However, these allegations appear to be a misrepresentation of Mendoza’s comments during a 2020 state Senate candidate forum. During the forum, Mendoza criticized proposed legislation that would prohibit transgender girls and women from participating in sports teams aligned with their gender identity, describing such legislation as “toxic.” Notably, she did not apply this term to parents or supporters of the legislation.

Mendoza articulated her position by stating, “I think legislation, like the one that you mentioned, it’s harmful, it’s toxic. It takes away from who we are as Americans; to want to be inclusive, to want to fight for those that can’t fight for themselves, to want to make things better for everyone.”

This November, Arizona voters will decide on a referendum concerning the participation of transgender students in sports teams that correspond with their gender identity. In light of this, Mendoza reaffirmed her stance, emphasizing parental involvement in sports safety and fairness.

“As a mom, I know that parents just want to protect their kids—on the playing fields and across Arizona,” she remarked. “Rules about keeping sports fair and safe for young people should be made by the people who know the most—parents, coaches, and sports associations—not politicians.”

In contrast, Ciscomani has publicly supported federal legislation that seeks to impose a nationwide ban on transgender student athletes.

The controversy surrounding the ad suggests a challenging political climate for Ciscomani, who is considered vulnerable in his reelection bid. A recent poll by the House Majority PAC indicates Mendoza currently leads by two points.