Cynthia M. Mendes (born June 14, 1980) is an American politician who formerly served as a member of the Rhode Island Senate from the 18th district. Elected in November 2020, she assumed office on January 5, 2021, and left office in January 2023. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
Early life and education
Mendes was born to a mother with Puerto Rican background from New Bedford, Massachusetts, and a father of Cape Verdean background.
Mendes earned an associate's degree in social sciences from the Community College of Rhode Island. She is also a certified orthodontic assistant and dental radiology technician.
Career
From 2004 to 2017, Mendes was a clinical supervisor at an orthodontics clinic in Barrington, Rhode Island. She later worked as a manager at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island. She was elected to the Rhode Island Senate in November 2020 and assumed office on January 5, 2021.
Mendes unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor of Rhode Island in the 2022 election.
In the 2024 presidential election, Mendes endorsed author Marianne Williamson's presidential bid.