Mendoza and Perez Shine at the Arizona LD 11 Clean Elections Debate

Arizona Legislative District (LD) 11 State Senate and House Democratic Nominees Gunnery Sergeant JoAnna Mendoza and Dr. Felipe Perez both appeared at the September 30, 2020, Clean Elections Debate.

Please click on the link below to watch the event.

Both Mendoza and Perez ably discussed the vital issues facing Arizona and gave voters a clear sense of where they stand on the important topics facing the Grand Canyon State.

The same cannot be said for their Republican opponents who decided not to attend the event.

What possessed these men from not showing up to discuss their records and views with the people they were elected to serve.

Maybe it was because Mr. Finchem did not want to talk about his associations with extremist fringe groups.

Or Maybe Mr. Leach did not want to talk about what content he has shared on his Facebook Page.

Or perhaps Leach, Finchem, and Roberts do not want to talk about their disservice to the people that have been recorded in their voting records.

Or they knew the voters would not like their responses to questions posed by the moderator like those on campaigning during a pandemic, combatting COVID 19, providing health care, the Governor’s attitude and actions towards combatting the Coronavirus, economic reopening protocols and recovery, school safety guidelines and resources, public education funding, business liability protection, state leaders not responding to the wishes of the people and Propositions 207 (Marijuana) and 208 (Invest in Education,) how you would govern, whether you would oppose party leadership if you thought a piece of legislation was good for the people, and law enforcement reform.

Gunnery Sergeant Mendoza offered her perspective of the Debate and Mr. Leach’s absence, writing:

“Our state government must serve ALL of Arizona. As someone who has spent my life in service to our country and our communities, I believe we deserve a government that is trustworthy, accessible, and that will work for them. Unfortunately, we have many elected officials, like Vince Leach, who have abandoned their responsibilities to advocate for the needs of all Arizonans rather than just a select few. Their failure to serve our communities couldn’t be clearer. We must rebuild public trust in our government.”

 “Leaders must earn their right to lead every day. Leadership should be earned, not given. Leach’s refusal to attend the Clean Elections Debate demonstrates his lack of commitment to serving. Perhaps he’s fearful of being held accountable for the votes he’s taken, many of which have hurt working families, such as voting against KidsCare. Our nation is undergoing a reckoning and people will no longer put up with the status quo. They’re demanding answers and accountability from those elected to serve them.”

 “As an elected official, Vince Leach has a responsibility to make himself accessible to every constituent in our District and answer tough questions. If he can’t show up for a debate to discuss his stance on issues, then why should voters show up for him on November 3rd? Voters must ask themselves if they’re willing to put up with elected officials who think they are above answering to the people of our district. They have a choice in this election. They can vote for me, JoAnna Mendoza, and elect a servant leader who will work to transform the government we have into a government they can trust. I will uphold the highest standards of ethics and integrity. I will be honest and transparent in my actions. And I will use the power of elected office only in the service of my constituents.”

Dr. Perez also wrote his views on his opponents’ absence, stating:

“The way I think about a State Leader as like a physician. You have to be available to the patients and the constituents. If they will not be there, why even have them in their current positions. We are out there speaking with the people and addressing the issues that matter to them. There are still a couple of more events and I hope they come. The people deserve to hear from them.”

The people in LD 11 need to hear from all the candidates running to work for them. Gunnery Sergeant JoAnna Mendoza and Dr. Felipe Perez, have proven, unlike their opponents, that they will not take the people of LD 11’s support for granted.

By their responses in the debate, they have also demonstrated that they will serve the people’s interests, not the special ones.

That alone should earn them the great majority of their constituent’s support at the polls by November 3, 2020.

Please remember:

• The General Election Day is on November 3. 2020. Please see the below graphic for all-important voting dates. 
• Please check your voter registration at vote.
• Register/sign up for the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) in Arizona or any state that allows early or absentee balloting and mail. Arizona residents can sign up at vote. 
• Arizona residents, mail your General Election ballot by October 27, 2020, for the November 3, 2020 election. With recent issues with the Post Office, you should consider mailing them out by October 23, 2020, if not earlier. 
• Check-in with the Secretary of State’s office where you live to verify your mail-in ballot was received, processed, verified, and counted.
• Know the voter ID requirements in your state.
• If you can, support Clean Election Candidates with a small contribution.
• Also, please remember to stay informed on all the candidates and vote for all the offices on the ballot.
• Also, remember to research all the ballot initiatives, sign to get them on the ballot if you support the measure, and vote on them as well.

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