Maria Gloria Mendoza is a Mexican-born American politician and businesswoman. She is the Washington House of Representatives member-elect representing the state's 14th district, position 1. Prior to running for state house, Mendoza served on the Grandview, Washington city council from 2013 to 2018 and as mayor of Grandview from 2018 to 2023. She was the town's first Latina mayor.
Gloria Mendoza | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 14th district | |
| Assumed office January 13, 2025 Serving with Deb Manjarrez | |
| Preceded by | Chris Corry |
| Mayor of Grandview | |
| In office 2018–2023 | |
| Preceded by | Norm Childress |
| Succeeded by | Ashley Lara |
| Member of the Grandview City Council | |
| In office 2013–2018 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mexico |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Yakima Valley College |
Early life and career
editMendoza was born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States when she was eight, moving to Grandview.[1] She graduated from Grandview High School and attended Yakima Valley College.[2][3] In 1999, she was invited to join local politics but decided to focus on her new business, GMC Training Institute.[1]
Political career
editGrandview
editIn 2013, local officials convinced Mendoza to join the city council, which she did unopposed.[1][4] In December 2018, mayor Norm Childress resigned to join the Yakima County Commission and Mendoza was appointed by the council to fill the remainder of the term.[5] She became the Grandview's first female Latina mayor and ran unopposed in 2019 for a full term.[1][5][6]
In 2023, Mendoza ran for reelection, the first time against a challenger, against Ashley Lara, a former aide to Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler.[7][8] Lara defeated Mendoza in the general election, 57% to 43%.[2][9]
Washington House of Representatives
editAfter court-ordered redistricting, incumbent representative Chris Corry was redistricted out of District 14, having to run in District 15 for the 2024 election.[10] In May 2024, Mendoza announced she would run for position 1 in Washington House of Representatives District 14.[11] She faced two challengers in the primary, Democrat Chelsea Dimas and Republican Andy Kallinen.[12] In the August primary election, Dimas came in first with 37% of the vote, with Mendoza coming in second with 32.7%.[13]
In the general election, Mendoza defeated Dimas, 54% to 45%.[14][15]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gloria Mendoza | 18,129 | 54.02 | |
| Democratic | Chelsea Dimas | 15,242 | 45.42 | |
| Write-in | 189 | .56 | ||
| Total votes | 33,560 | 100% | ||
References
edit- ^ a b c d Cervantes Zepeda, Lorena (March 15, 2019). "Grandview's mayor shares business-focused vision for the future". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ a b Martinez, Ilena (May 6, 2024). "Former Grandview mayor Gloria Mendoza announces candidacy for District 14 state rep". Sunnyside Sun. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "Gloria Mendoza bio". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "General Election November 5, 2019". Yakima County. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ a b McGhan, Jennie (December 5, 2018). "Mendoza named new mayor in Grandview". Sunnyside Sun. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "2019 General Election". Yakima County Auditor. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Phipps, Hunter (October 30, 2023). "Grandview mayoral race heats up: Incumbent Mendoza faces challenger Lara in first competitive election in eight years". KIMA. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ KENZO SUNDEEN, JASPER (September 20, 2023). "Grandview mayor candidates for mayor focus on city's growth and economic future". Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "General Election". Yakima County Auditor. November 7, 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Cornfield, Jerry (April 24, 2024). "Court-ordered redistricting is factor in exits of two GOP state lawmakers". Washington State Standard. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Parnell, Merrick (May 3, 2024). "Former Grandview Mayor Gloria Mendoza Announces Run For State Legislature". 610KONA. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Rosane, Eric (August 9, 2024). "Dems still aim to win new Central WA Latino-majority district despite dreadful turnout". Tri-city Herald. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Staff (August 22, 2024). "Live results: 2024 Central WA legislative district elections". Cascade PBS. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ^ a b "November 5, 2024 General Election". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Staff (November 12, 2024). "House race between Manjarrez and Kennedy tightens; Gloria Mendoza wins seat". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved 25 November 2024.