JoAnna Mendoza, a Democratic candidate challenging Republican incumbent Juan Ciscomani for Arizona's 6th Congressional District seat, was previously married for 16 days to a Syrian national, according to newly revealed records. The marriage, which took place in Syria in April 1998, ended when Mendoza returned to the United States alone shortly after the ceremony.
Mendoza, a Marine veteran and single mother, is running in a district rated as a 'Toss Up' by The Cook Political Report, with a nonpartisan voting index evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. Recent polling indicates a tight race, with Mendoza slightly ahead of Ciscomani.
Mendoza's campaign has emphasized her background as a Marine Corps veteran and her work with progressive causes. She previously led a strategy firm that focused on supporting women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals seeking leadership roles. The candidate has also been publicly identified as bisexual by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.
The records show Mendoza filed for divorce in October 2000, more than two years after the separation. She reportedly faced challenges locating her ex-husband, Tariq Alrawwass, eventually reaching him through a relative and her father. A judge granted Mendoza a default divorce judgment in June 2001. Alrawwass does not appear to have ever lived in the United States.
Mendoza's campaign spokesperson, Kyle McCarthy, stated that the brief marriage at age 21 is a minor part of her history, which spans decades of service and dedication. However, a spokesperson for the Congressional Leadership Fund, a Super PAC aligned with House GOP leadership, described the situation as "fishy and weird" and called for Mendoza to provide a full explanation to voters.
Mendoza served in the Navy from 1994 to 1997 before joining the Marines from 1999 to 2016, where she served as a drill instructor and completed combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her public campaign materials frequently feature her ten-year-old son, but not other aspects of her family life.