AZ Democrat JoAnna Mendoza Reaffirms Opposition To Transgender Sports Restrictions Ahead Of Prop 318 Vote

Democratic congressional nominee JoAnna Mendoza reaffirmed her opposition to legislatively imposed restrictions on transgender participation in school sports as Arizona voters prepare to decide Proposition 318 in November.

Mendoza addressed the issue in a statement published Monday by American Journal News, saying parents, coaches and athletic organizations should determine the rules governing youth sports.

“As a mom, I know that parents just want to protect their kids—on the playing fields and across Arizona,” Mendoza said. “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.” 

NEWS: Arizona Democrat lobbyist Joanna @Mendoza4AZ revealed yesterday she opposes Proposition 318, the ballot measure to protect girl's sports and private spaces from biological men.

Arizonans will vote on Prop. 318 in November.

It follows Mendoza pushing legislation for… pic.twitter.com/gJspLMBoCi

— Ben Petersen (@bennpetersen) July 28, 2026

Mendoza did not identify Proposition 318 by number in the statement. American Journal News presented her response as a reaffirmation of her position on transgender athletes as the ballot measure approaches.

The official ballot language released by the Arizona Secretary of State states that Proposition 318 would require all public and private schools and athletic associations to designate teams as male, female or coeducational based on athletes’ biological sex as recorded at birth.

Existing Arizona law already imposes the team-designation requirement on public schools and private schools whose teams compete against them. Proposition 318 would extend the requirement to all private schools and athletic associations and prohibit those entities from authorizing people to use athletic restrooms, locker rooms, showers or other private spaces designated for the opposite sex.

A “yes” vote would enact those changes, while a “no” vote would maintain current laws governing student athletics.

The Republican-controlled Legislature placed the measure on the ballot through House Concurrent Resolution 2003, titled the “Protect Girls’ Sports in Arizona Act.” The House approved the resolution 32-25, with three members not voting, on Feb. 23. The Senate passed it 16-12, with two members not voting, on June 12, and it was filed with the Secretary of State that day.

The proposal would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, if approved by voters. It would also allow athletes who lose an opportunity or suffer harm because of a violation to pursue damages, injunctive relief and other remedies. Athletes subjected to retaliation for reporting violations could also bring legal action. 

Mendoza’s latest statement follows renewed Republican scrutiny of remarks she made while running for the Arizona Legislature in 2020.

During an Equality Arizona candidate forum, Mendoza was asked whether she would support policies including gender-inclusive school restrooms and opposition to laws restricting transgender athletes. Mendoza answered affirmatively and said LGBTQ students and employees should feel accepted and safe in educational settings.

Mendoza later criticized legislation restricting transgender participation in female sports, saying, “I think that legislation like the one that you mentioned is harmful. It’s toxic.” 

Mendoza applied the terms “harmful” and “toxic” to the proposed legislation during the forum. A recent advertisement from Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani’s campaign claimed that Mendoza had called concerned parents “toxic,” according to American Journal News. 

The National Republican Congressional Committee has also characterized Mendoza’s remarks as an attack on parents who favor restrictions based on biological sex.

“Democrat lobbyist Joanna Mendoza’s latest double-down proved she’s focused on pushing out of touch transgender policies instead of lowering costs,” NRCC spokesman Ben Petersen said in a statement emailed Monday. “Mendoza has tried to ram through her extreme policies since at least 2020, leaving no question how she would act if elected.”

The NRCC previously cited the 2020 footage in a July 2 statement accusing Mendoza of supporting transgender athletes competing on female teams and access to gender-inclusive restrooms. 

The committee also renewed its criticism of Mendoza over a separate exchange from the Equality Arizona forum concerning the decriminalization of sex work.

Mendoza answered “Right. Yes” after she was asked whether she would support decriminalization to help transgender people, particularly transgender women of color, who encountered discrimination in conventional employment. She subsequently discussed eliminating discriminatory laws and expanding access to employment assistance, health care and social services.

The NRCC has characterized Mendoza’s position as supporting the legalization of prostitution. The question posed during the forum and Mendoza’s recorded answer specifically concerned the decriminalization of sex work.

Mendoza is challenging Ciscomani in Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District. Both candidates ran unopposed in their respective July 21 primaries and advanced to the general election, according to KJZZ.