M.V. Vinny MendozaArchived

M.V. Vinny Mendoza

U.S. HouseRepublican

LA-5 U.S. House

Age 66·Guatemalan-American·Director of "500 Years of Hispanic Heritage" for the Department of Defense, Washington D.C. (1991-92)

Why This Race Matters

Mendoza is a perennial candidate who has run for federal office in Louisiana at least 7 times since 2007 without winning. He most recently ran for LA-5 in 2024 against incumbent Julia Letlow (R), finishing last. He was disqualified from the 2019 gubernatorial race for failure to file state and federal taxes. His party affiliation has shifted between Democratic, Independent, and Republican over the years.

As of February 2026, Mendoza has not filed with the FEC for a 2026 race. Louisiana's 2026 filing deadline is February 13, 2026, with a primary on May 16, 2026. His campaign website vinnymendoza.com currently shows a "Coming Soon" page.

About

M.V. "Vinny" Mendoza (born Manlio Vinicio Mendoza) is a Guatemalan-American U.S. Air Force veteran, organic farmer, and perennial candidate in Louisiana. Born in Guatemala in 1959, he grew up in poverty -- his father worked 16-hour days with only a 3rd grade education, having started work at age 9 after his own father died in an accident. Mendoza joined the Air Force to pay for college and served 20 years before retiring at Barksdale AFB in 1998. He has run for multiple federal offices in Louisiana since 2007, including U.S. House (LA-1 and LA-5), U.S. Senate, and Governor.

Family & Heritage

Born in Guatemala into poverty. Father worked 16-hour days with only a 3rd grade education, having started work at age 9 as a garbage man after his own father died in an accident. Father taught himself to read from discarded magazines and books. Mendoza joined the Air Force to escape poverty and pay for college. Married to Estela Mendoza with four children. Sister Vivian died by suicide following military sexual assault. Mother passed away July 10, 2022, at age 98.

Political Career

Before Politics

20-year U.S. Air Force career (1978-1998), including Assistant to the Inspector General during the Gulf War, Chief of Services overseeing $2+ billion in real property, Food Service Officer, and War Readiness Material Safety Officer; Adjunct Professor of Business Administration at Central Texas College's Far East Campus in Tokyo, Japan; Retired at Barksdale AFB (1998); CEO of Super Natural Organic Farms of America (USDA certified organic farmer since 2009); Real estate investor in Louisiana; Louisiana State Coordinator for Progressive Democrats of America (2004-2014)

Education

Ph.D. Hotel Restaurant Management, LaSalle University, 1998; M.S. Hotel Restaurant Management, LaSalle University; B.A. Human Resources Administration, Saint Leo University, 1989; Associate degrees from Community College of the Air Force (1996); Bladensburg Senior High School, Maryland

Awards & Recognition

Air Force Meritorious Service Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Air Force Organization Excellence Award

Key Issues & Priorities

*Regulation of Big Oil companies
*Revitalizing American agriculture through small organic farms (plan to create 3 million small farms)
*Protecting seniors and veterans through social programs
*Education access and reform
*Healthcare expansion
*Infrastructure development (Interstate 49 completion)

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