Arizona Congressman Abe Hamadeh accused The Arizona Republic of functioning as an “unofficial arm” of the Democratic Party after the newspaper reported that congressional candidate JoAnna Mendoza received an education-related property-tax benefit on two homes classified as primary residences.
“The Arizona Republic, a dying newspaper, is at it again!” Hamadeh wrote on X. “This time they’re covering for Democrat candidate JoAnna Mendoza, Congressman Juan Ciscomani’s opponent.”
Hamadeh took issue with the Republic’s references to a “mistake” and Mendoza’s acknowledgment of the error. He said the newspaper would have treated him more harshly under similar circumstances.
“If I sneezed the wrong way 20 years ago, these propagandists would write a nasty story about me,” Hamadeh wrote. “But all they do is cover for DEMOCRATS. Because they are an unofficial arm of the Democrat Party.”
Hamadeh proposed an alternative headline for the story: “Democrat candidate JoAnna Mendoza unlawfully takes tax benefit and claims primary residency in two counties, drawing scrutiny.”
“These people aren’t journalists, they’re activists and propagandists — and have zero credibility,” Hamadeh wrote.
The Republic’s Aug. 13 report found that Mendoza received Arizona’s State Aid to Education property-tax reduction on homes in Tucson and Red Rock after both were categorized as primary residences.
A tax filing mistake is drawing attention in a Southern Arizona House race after a candidate acknowledged the error. https://t.co/Lpb6fFZ4EB
— azcentral (@azcentral) August 13, 2026
The version of the report republished by the Arizona Daily Star carried the headline “House candidate Mendoza wrongfully took home tax credit.” Its opening paragraph stated that Mendoza had “wrongfully claimed” the benefit and described the classification as an error.
Mendoza purchased the Tucson home for approximately $330,000 in 2021. She bought the Red Rock property for approximately $337,000 in 2023 and subsequently rented the Tucson residence, according to the report.
Because the Tucson and Red Rock properties remained classified as primary residences, officials in Pima and Pinal counties applied the State Aid to Education reduction to both. The reduction saved Mendoza $404.29 on the Tucson property in 2024 and $415.87 in 2025.
The tax reduction is calculated automatically from a property’s classification and generally cannot exceed $600 per eligible parcel under A.R.S. § 15-972.
State law designates owner-occupied primary residences as Class Three property. Residential properties used solely as rentals fall under Class Four. Arizona law directs county assessors to review property classifications and identify rental properties that remain classified as primary residences.
Mendoza’s campaign told the Republic that she failed to submit the necessary paperwork after renting the Tucson home and moving to Red Rock.
“JoAnna is already in touch with the county assessor to correct the filing mistake,” campaign spokesman Kyle McCarthy said. The campaign said Mendoza would pay the amount determined to be owed.
Records cited by the Republic showed Mendoza contacted Pima County officials on Aug. 10 to reclassify the Tucson property. The newspaper also reported that Mendoza disclosed approximately $20,000 in rental income on her congressional financial disclosure.
Mendoza is the Democratic nominee challenging Rep. Juan Ciscomani in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District. Hamadeh represents the 8th Congressional District.
Mendoza’s campaign reported approximately $7.35 million in receipts through July 1, while Ciscomani reported approximately $6.17 million, according to the Federal Election Commission.
The general election is Nov. 3, with early voting scheduled to begin Oct. 7, according to the Arizona Secretary of State.
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