Ben
Mendoza
Ben Mendoza is an independent candidate for Texas' 23rd Congressional District in the 2026 election, running as a professional mediator from El Paso.
- sources
- 3
- positions
- 6
- endorsements
- 0
Background
Ben Mendoza is an independent candidate running for U.S. Representative in Texas' 23rd Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 election. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, he earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at El Paso and currently works as a professional mediator in El Paso, holding a certificate in arbitration and mediation from the American Mediation Association. 15
Before his mediation career, Mendoza held a range of roles including real estate, leather sales, magazine circulation and education positions at TIME Inc. and Newsweek, ownership of Al's Formal Wear outlets, and service as a district executive with the Yucca Council of the Boy Scouts of America. 113
Mendoza has sought elected office on multiple occasions without success. He ran for U.S. House in Texas' 16th District in 2018, has run for El Paso City Council, and ran for El Paso mayor in 2024. The Texas Secretary of State lists his occupation as "Mediator" in his 2026 independent candidate filing for District 23, which is an open-seat race with no incumbent. 1513
At a glance
- Party
- Independent
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 23, Texas
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Professional Mediator
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Sep 30newsSan Antonio Report identifies Mendoza as one of three general-election candidates in TX-23, describes him as a professional mediator in El Paso
The San Antonio Report listed Ben Mendoza as an independent running against Republican Brandon Herrera and Democrat Katy Padilla Stout in TX-23, and described him as a professional mediator based in El Paso.
The battle for the U.S. House runs through South Texas · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24filingFEC shows no campaign committee or finance reports filed for Ben Mendoza
A campaign profile noted that the FEC had no 2025–26 principal campaign committee designated for Mendoza and no committee reports of receipts or spending on file. The absence of reports does not establish that he raised or spent nothing, as candidates below $5,000 are not required to register.
Ben Mendoza (I) — U.S. Representative, TX-23 | 2026 profile · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 28filingBen Mendoza certified as independent candidate on Texas November 2026 ballot for TX-23
The Texas Secretary of State's certified candidate list for November 2026 included Ben Mendoza as an independent for U.S. House District 23. His candidate-profile page documents the certification status and date, linking it to the state's ballot certification.
Ben Mendoza (I) — U.S. Representative, TX-23 | 2026 profile · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Sources 3
- [1] The battle for the U.S. House runs through South Texas(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [2] Ben Mendoza | 2026 candidate for Texas' 23rd Congressional District(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [3] Ben Mendoza (I) — U.S. Representative, TX-23 | 2026 profile(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026