Release: Black and Brownface Photos of Mary Ann Mendoza, Republican Nominee in Legislative District 9, Resurface

Democrats in legislative District 9, Blattman and Austin, condemn this vile behavior, point out her pattern of hate

PHOENIX, AZ – Recently resurfaced photos appear to show Republican State House nominee for Legislative District 9, Mary Ann Mendoza appearing in black and brown face. These photos have been obtained by the Copper Courier and have been released to the public as voters return their ballots.

One of two Republican nominees for the State House, Mary Ann Mendoza, has a troubling history of antisemitism. She was removed from the Republican National Committee speaker lineup for abhorrent antisemitism and was kicked off Twitter for hate speech. This breaking news is unfolding just two weeks shy of Election Day but fits her long pattern of vitriolic hate speech against people of color and Jewish people.

She runs alongside Kathy Pearce, sister of SB1070 champion Russell Pearce, the legislation which vilified and targeted immigrant communities across Arizona.

“Given Mary Ann Mendoza’s troubling antisemitic history, these photos are no surprise. I echo Democratic nominees for the State House in Legislative District 9, Seth Blattman and Lorena Austin in their call for Ms. Mendoza to prove these photos are not her or withdraw her candidacy. Her pattern of racist behavior, while not new, crosses a line and irreparably harms communities of color in Legislative District 9 and throughout Arizona,” said Elsa O’Callaghan, Executive Director of the Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. “These past few weeks alone here in our state have been a reminder of the racist, intolerant and unforgivable behavior Republicans continue to tolerate among their ranks.”

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