Queer Marine Veteran JoAnna Mendoza Flips Arizona House Seat, Defeating Republican Juan Ciscomani

This story originally appeared on The Advocate.Democratic congressional candidate JoAnna Mendoza, an openly LGBTQ+ Marine veteran who served during the military’s discriminatory "don’t ask, don’t tell” era, has defeated Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, flipping a closely watched House seat.Decision Desk HQ confirmed Mendoza’s victory, calling the race at 10:12 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday night.With 70 percent of votes counted, Mendoza led Ciscomani 58 to 40 percent.The result delivers a significant victory for Democrats in southern Arizona and sends a former Marine Corps drill instructor to Congress after a campaign shaped by her military service, working-class background, and commitment to LGBTQ+ equality.Mendoza spent nearly two decades in the military, serving two years in the Navy and 17 in the Marine Corps. Her experiences included serving under "don’t ask, don’t tell,” the federal policy that prohibited openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members from serving in the military until its repeal in 2011.In a November 2025 interview with The Advocate, Mendoza reflected on how her military career shaped her understanding of leadership and public service.“To be a leader means to do what’s right, even when people say it’s wrong, and in the face of adversity," she said.The conversation followed the release of Netflix’s Boots, a series depicting the experiences of a gay Marine recruit before the military adopted "don’t ask, don’t tell."Watching the show with her young son brought back memories of her time as a drill instructor and the challenges LGBTQ+ service members faced.Her campaign against Ciscomani, a Republican first elected to Congress in 2022, focused heavily on the economic concerns facing southern Arizona residents.During a September debate, the candidates clashed over the cost of living, health care, veterans' issues, border security, immigration, and water rights.Mendoza also emphas