Mendoza Warns Democracy is Under Attack, Calls on Democrats to “Answer the Call”

Future Democratic Congresswoman JoAnna Mendoza delivered a forceful defense of democracy, warning that the United States faces one of the most consequential moments in its history and urging supporters to mobilize against growing threats to truth, accountability and democratic institutions.

She spoke before 200 enthusiastic Democrats at the annual Udall Dinner on May 30 in Tucson. Demonstrating a new gravitas, Mendoza framed her campaign as part of a broader struggle over the future of American democracy.

“We’re called to talk about where we are as a nation,” Mendoza said. “We’re called to talk about what this moment demands of us.”

The former Marine and candidate for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District repeatedly returned to a central question she said history is asking every American: “What are we willing to do to protect our nation and the promise that is America?”

Her speech came as the nation approaches a lackluster 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

“Anniversaries are a mirror,” Mendoza said. “Not only do we celebrate where we’ve been, they ask us to examine who we are becoming.”

Democracy tested

Mendoza argued that America’s democratic institutions are under unprecedented pressure.

“Right now, our democracy is being tested,” she said. “It’s being tested right now in our communities, in our courts, in our classrooms, at our borders, in our elections, in the way that we treat our neighbors and whether or not we still believe in truth, decency and common good.”

She rejected the notion that democracy can survive on autopilot.

“Our democracy isn’t inherited like an old family heirloom that we leave sitting on a shelf somewhere,” Mendoza said. “Democracy is a living, breathing system, and it must be cared for. It must be defended. It must be renewed with every generation.”

Drawing a comparison to Arizona’s environmental challenges, Mendoza said democracy, like an ecosystem, requires balance.

“When greed takes over, our democracy suffers. When hatred overtakes humanity, democracy suffers. When corruption overtakes accountability, democracy suffers,” she said.

The massive crowd cheered when Mendoza added, “When chaos is treated like leadership, democracy suffers.”

Sharp criticism

“When people begin to believe that cruelty is strength, that division is strategy, and that power matters more than truth, then the very soul of our nation is at risk,” she said.

Throughout the speech, Mendoza invoked historic social movements as examples of ordinary Americans stepping forward during national crises.

“It was not popular for abolitionists to demand the end of slavery, but they did it anyway,” she said. “It wasn’t popular for Harriet Tubman to risk her life again and again to lead people to freedom, but she did it anyway.”

She also cited women’s suffrage activists, labor organizers and veterans who continued fighting for civil rights after military service.

“That’s the story of America at its best,” Mendoza said. “Not perfect, not comfortable, not silent — but progress, courage and service.”

Future generations will judge.

“What did you do when our democracy was tested?” she asked. “What did you do when truth was under attack? What did you do when neighbors turned against neighbors? And what did you do when fear became a political weapon?”

Her answer, she said, should be clear: “We came together. We stood firm. We chose country over chaos, we chose people over power, and we chose courage over cynicism.”

“This moment is bigger than any political party,” Mendoza said. “This moment is about whether or not we still believe in a government of and by and for the people.”

Near the end of her speech, Mendoza briefly turned to her congressional campaign against MAGA Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani, who voted to cut Medicaid, undermine the right to vote, and oppose abortion rights.

“What this moment calls for is that it calls for us to step forward, to fight, and to continue to fight.” Mendoza drew cheers when she declared, “We are kicking Ciscomani’s ass, okay?”

Mendoza said that if elected, she intends to emphasize accessibility and public engagement.

A visible servant leader

“I am not running to be a politician,” she said. “I am running to be your servant leader.”

She pledged to hold regular town halls and create community advisory committees modeled after former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ popular “Congress on Your Corner” events.

“You will always be able to hold me accountable,” Mendoza said. “We’re going actually to have town halls.”

Mendoza closed with a direct challenge to the audience.

“Will you answer the call?” she repeatedly asked. Each time, the audience roared “Yes!”