MENDOZA: Right now, we have a Congress who isn’t motivated to do anything, they can’t pass a budget, they can’t give the American people relief. And so what we’re seeing right now across the nation, and especially you know, within the Hell Cats group, is we’re answering the call to serve again. That oath that we took many times, it does not expire. And so for us, this is absolutely a matter of ensuring that when decisions are being made to send our kids into harm’s way, that they’re made number one with the approval of Congress and two, by the American people.
BENNETT: Anytime we’re going to go put American service members in harm’s way, to your point, there needs to be a clear motivation, clear objective, and a clear exit strategy. And what we are seeing is that the Trump administration is learning in real time that it’s much easier to start a war than it is to stop one. And it’s exactly what I hear from people on the ground in my district, is that Trump ran on ‘no more forever wars’ and lowering the cost of living. He’s doing the exact opposite. And this is where House Republicans have absolutely failed to hold him accountable, and that’s why we’ve got to flip the house to make sure we’re holding him accountable.
MENDOZA: My opponent, Juan Ciscomani, is spineless. He has not said a single word pushing back on the president and this reckless war. Meanwhile, we have people in the district, parents, not just Democrats, not just Independents, but I’ve heard from conservative parents that they are absolutely terrified that their kids are being sent to Iran or have orders there. And you know what they’ve told me? They will not vote for a single Republican this November because of that.
BENNETT: …that’s what veterans do, is we figure out how to work with the people we have to be able to get things done and to be able to solve problems… As a former Navy helicopter pilot, only 6% of naval aviators are women. And I would always say, the helicopter doesn’t know what gender the person is, you just got to get the job done. And that is the mindset that I’m [going to be] bringing to office to be able to actually get stuff done. But, I mean, Pete Hegseth is a disgrace to the office that he holds.
ANCHOR: Rebecca, your race has garnered national attention in part because the incumbent you are running against, Republican Tom Kean Jr. of the great state of New Jersey, has been MIA for what is now a pretty concerning period of time. Just given how high the stakes are in this moment, given that we are a country at war, what is your greatest concern for your district, the district you live in as a constituent, about the fact that you do not currently have an active member of Congress?
BENNETT: He’s been missing for over three months now… I wish him well, I hope he’s doing well, but to your point, he’s absolutely failing this district. He’s not standing up to the president on anything to include this war in Iran, and we deserve better. And so that is why I’m running for office, is because for me this is about fighting for the version of the country that I want to leave for my daughters and the next generation. So we are going to flip this seat in November.
ANCHOR: Joanna, how do you uh, see your race right now? […]
MENDOZA: Look, [Ciscomani] has not held a single town hall since he was elected, two terms, four years ago. He has not spoken to constituents that sent him to D.C. to do the work, right? To ensure that their costs remain low, that people have access to affordable health care, that gas prices remain low. In this district, it is extremely rural, so folks go into town to buy groceries, to pick up their kids from school, to go to the doctor, and they’re getting penalized more because of the gas prices. But what I will tell you is that right now, both sides, everyone is upset, and they’re upset by the lack of focus and Congress isn’t getting anything done. So, being from the state of former Senator John McCain, we talk to a lot of Republicans who consider themselves McCain Republicans. So, we have made that distinction in the campaign is that look, you’re a MAGA Republican, that’s fine, but if you believe in the Constitution, the rule of law, and, and ensuring that everyone in this country has the opportunity to fulfill their version of the American dream, then you have a place on my team.
