Democratic state Rep. Lydia Hernandez accused DJ Quinlan of harassment after publishing a text exchange in which a sender she identified as the political consultant told her he contacted her “To shame you” over her endorsement of Republican Warren Petersen for attorney general. Petersen identified Quinlan as Attorney General Kris Mayes’ campaign treasurer.
Petersen called on Mayes to remove her treasurer Sept. 24, after sharing a screenshot of a statement in which Hernandez accused Quinlan of criticizing her endorsement through her personal cellphone.
“Mayes should drop him and condemn his unprofessional behavior,” Petersen wrote.
Kris Mayes treasurer, who didn't notice that Mayes accepted an illegal contribution last quarter, sent harassing text messages to one of my endorsers yesterday. Mayes should drop him and condemn his unprofessional behavior. https://t.co/DEY6ZzhVdD
— Warren Petersen (@votewarren) September 24, 2026
In her Facebook statement accompanying the exchange, Hernandez said she had no friendship or working relationship with Quinlan and described his contact as an attempt to shame, pressure or intimidate her over a political choice.
The screenshots show an incoming message reading, “Wow, you endorse the guy who told dreamers to be prepared to be deported. Gross. Selfish politician.”
After asking who was contacting her, Hernandez replied, “A text to insult me? Please refrain from contacting me again.”
The sender answered, “To shame you. But you have no shame.” The contact is labeled “DJ,” with the initials “DQ” displayed above the name. Hernandez identified the sender as Quinlan in her accompanying statement.
The exchange continues in a second screenshot, where Hernandez responds with a personal criticism containing a redacted passage. The sender replies, “Oh, you remembered that we have talked,” followed by, “Good for you.”
Quinlan is listed as treasurer of Kris Mayes for Arizona in a state campaign-finance filing covering April through June 2025. Petersen’s follow-up post likewise identified the accused sender as Mayes’ treasurer.
Mayes campaign harassing one of my endorsers. Mayes should condemn this unacceptable behavior. This is par for the course for Mayes and her unprofessional team. I will restore respect and professionalism to the office. pic.twitter.com/PGIZGwBCkx
— Warren Petersen (@votewarren) September 24, 2026
“Mayes campaign harassing one of my endorsers. Mayes should condemn this unacceptable behavior,” Petersen wrote when sharing Hernandez’s statement. He added, “I will restore respect and professionalism to the office.”
Hernandez, a Democrat representing Legislative District 24, endorsed Petersen Sept. 18. Her endorsement emphasized public safety and protection of students and schools.
She reiterated those priorities in the statement criticizing Quinlan, saying her support reflected Petersen’s position on public-school safety and his commitment to working with other state officials on oversight.
“I endorsed Warren Petersen because of his position on public safety, especially safety in our public schools,” Hernandez wrote. “My political endorsements are my decision,” she wrote. “You can disagree with me politically all you want, but respect my boundaries.”
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