Private citizen

Ben Mendoza is an El Paso professional mediator with a criminal justice degree from the University of Texas at El Paso who worked in magazine circulation and education sales and owned a formal wear business¹. He has run several times for office, including the U.S. House in the 16th District in 2018 and El Paso mayor in 2024¹². He qualified for the 2026 ballot as an independent in the 23rd District³⁴.

Where they stand

• Birthright citizenship: No, end it for children of parents here illegally or temporarily Questionnaire answer · low confidence
  • Listed prohibiting "anchor babies" among the immigration changes Congress should make. (2026-09) source
• Healthcare: Government-run coverage for everyone (Medicare for All) Questionnaire answer · low confidence
  • Proposed a plan that would put all uninsured people into Medicare and 18-year-olds into a "Medicare Jr." program, with no more middleman insurance companies, paid for by the federal government. (2026-09) source
• Energy and climate: No single answer fits; see the evidence below. Questionnaire answer · medium confidence
  • Said Congress should enact oil and gas subsidies for refineries, farmers, businesses and the public, and listed supporting oil, gas and cattle interests among his priorities. (2026-09) source
• Immigration: No single answer fits; see the evidence below. Questionnaire answer · medium confidence
  • Said Congress should prohibit open borders, Temporary Protected Status and "religious fanatical" immigration, and support and expand seasonal H-2A and H-2B work visas. (2026-09) source

No public position found on: Income taxes, National debt, Social Security, Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Abortion, Guns, Trade and tariffs, Foreign policy, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Supreme Court reform, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, Aid to Israel, Aid to Ukraine, China policy.