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A woman who appeared in a Showtime special discussing Critical Race Theory is now working for the state government in a paid-political position. Patti Hidalgo Menders was featured briefly on The Circus during an episode covering the race between Governors Glenn Youngkin and Terry McAuliffe – now she is doing community outreach for the Office of the Attorney General.
Menders is a leading voice in Virginia speaking out against Critical Race Theory and the use of race in teaching history. “How do you discuss it without [denigrating whiteness], at what point do you forgive and stop segregating?” she said during the interview. “Then it becomes less about merit, and it becomes more about ‘oh we have got to give people of color this advantage, let’s keep feeling sorry for them,’ but I don’t look at the person based on their skin color, I look at them based on their character.”
The reporter then asked Menders how she would respond to young Black men who say they would love to not be judged on the color of their skin.
“Do you think it is more on the color of their skin or their actions?” Menders responded.” How they’re dressed? How they perceive? How they respect others? If you have a kid who is pulled over by a cop, does it really matter what color they are or is it the respect they give to that police officer?”
Menders, like Republicans across Virginia in 2021, expressed strong support for the movement to empower parents with my influence on what their kids learn in schools. Republicans are trying to pass legislation in the General Assembly giving parents more opt-out options within public schools.
The reporter pushed Menders to explain how she believes issues like slavery can be taught without talking about race.
“I’m a parent, I am not an educator.” Menders responded.
Menders will be working for the attorney general doing community outreach in Northern Virginia for the Office of the Attorney General. A spokesperson for Miyares says the role entails interacting with community leaders and helping with constituent services related to elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and consumer protection issues.
Menders served two terms as the President of the Loudoun County Republican Women’s Club and also began working at a GOP firm Majority Strategies in February of 2021. She said during her introduction interview with the GOP strategy firm that her favorite president is Donald Trump and his inauguration is the most memorable live event she has ever attended.
She also touted her work as the president of the women’s club. “I am currently in my second term as President of the Loudoun County Republican Women’s Club. We grew our club to be the largest Republican women’s club in Virginia, and we are #1 in the U.S. with the largest percentage increase in membership at 636%.”
Her position in the OAG is a paid position.
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