--- title: "Democrat Lorena Austin calls deepfake images supporting Andy Biggs '100% not me'" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/democrat-lorena-austin-calls-deepfake-images-supporting-andy-biggs-100-not-me" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/democrat-lorena-austin-calls-deepfake-images-supporting-andy-biggs-100-not-me" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/democrat-lorena-austin-calls-deepfake-images-supporting-andy-biggs-100-not-me.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/democrat-lorena-austin-calls-deepfake-images-supporting-andy-biggs-100-not-me" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-09T18:05:13.019Z" source_reported: "2026-09-09T17:30:36.000Z" updated: "2026-09-09T18:05:13.019Z" trust_score: 60 critic_score: 60 hype_score: 20 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-09T19:00:24.759046+00:00" --- # Democrat Lorena Austin calls deepfake images supporting Andy Biggs '100% not me' *AI-detection systems indicated the images were digitally altered, according to reports.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to named individuals and a campaign spokesperson; AI detection systems cited. - Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. Reporting includes quotes from affected individuals and campaign spokespersons, and notes what happens next. - Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. The headline accurately reflects the content of the article, with no sensationalism. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Democratic state Rep. Lorena Austin stated that images showing her supporting Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs were deepfakes. - AI-detection systems indicated that the images were digitally altered. - The images were shared on X by Matt Whitmire and Mary Ann Mendoza, identified as Turning Point Action managers. - Mendoza stated her post was a joke with humorous intent. Images circulating on social media over a weekend appeared to show Democratic state Rep. Lorena Austin supporting Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs. Austin stated the images were deepfakes and that she did not consent to their creation. The photos depicted a person resembling Austin holding a campaign sign for Biggs, who is challenging Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs. Reports noted that some of Austin's tattoos were not accurately represented in the images, and no official campaign titled "Demócratas por Biggs" or "Democrats for Biggs" exists. The images were shared on the social media platform X by Matt Whitmire and Mary Ann Mendoza, who are identified as Chase the Vote Managers for Turning Point Action. AI-detection systems used by The Arizona Republic indicated that at least one of the images was digitally altered. Mendoza later stated that her post was a joke with humorous intent. Whitmire and Mendoza have since deleted the images from their X accounts. Biggs' spokesperson Drew Sexton stated the campaign is not responsible for policing what supporters say. ## Disagreement on intent Mary Ann Mendoza stated that her post was a joke with humorous intent, saying, "An open borders radical like Lorena Austin would never stand with a patriot like Andy Biggs, the humorous intent is obvious to competent journalists." AZCentral reported that Austin denounced Turning Point Action, believing the group played a role in the posts. Austin told AZCentral, “I think Turning Point is deceitful and dishonest, and this is on par for them.” Turning Point Action did not respond to requests for comment. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated reports mentioned any potential legal action Austin might take regarding the deepfake images, beyond her interest in strengthening AI laws. The Arizona Capitol Times report, while focused on the gubernatorial race between Hobbs and Biggs, did not mention the deepfake images at all. ## Who covered it Shares of the 6 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 100% (6) - Centre: 0% (0) - Right: 0% (0) 1 of 7 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-09T19:00:24.759046+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-09T19:30:29.208Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports led on Democratic state Rep. Lorena Austin's assertion that images showing her supporting Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs were deepfakes. These reports stated that AI-detection systems indicated the images were digitally altered. The coverage noted the images were shared on X by Matt Whitmire and Mary Ann Mendoza, identified as Turning Point Action managers. Some reports included Austin's statement that the images were generated without her consent and her criticism of Turning Point Action. Mendoza's statement that her post was a joke was also reported. ### Centre No separate framing summary. ### Right No separate framing summary. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - high: 4 - unknown: 2 - veryHigh: 1 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Joe.My.God.](https://joemygod.com/2026/09/turning-point-posts-fake-photos-in-arizona-gov-race) — Turning Point Posts Fake Photos In Arizona Gov Race - [USA Today](https://usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/09/09/fact-check-does-democratic-rep-lorena-austin-back-andy-biggs/91664300007) — Arizona Democratic lawmaker says pro-Andy Biggs images are deepfakes - [Phoenix New Times](https://phoenixnewtimes.com/news/turning-point-posted-deepfake-rep-lorena-austin-planting-democratas-por-biggs-sign-40696531) — Arizona Democrat eyes lawsuit over Turning Point USA AI deepfakes - [arizonastatelawjournal.org](https://arizonastatelawjournal.org/2024/10/01/the-current-state-of-deepfake-laws-in-arizona) — The Current State of Deepfake Laws in Arizona – Arizona State Law Journal - [AZCentral](https://azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/09/09/fact-check-does-democratic-rep-lorena-austin-back-andy-biggs/91664300007) — Arizona Democratic lawmaker says pro-Andy Biggs images are deepfakes - [KJZZ](https://kjzz.org/elections/2026-09-08/turning-point-activists-use-fake-posts-to-claim-democrats-are-backing-biggs-for-arizona-governor) — Turning Point activists use fake posts to claim Democrats are backing Biggs for Arizona governor - [Arizona Capitol Times](https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/08/04/hobbs-biggs-launch-attack-filled-arizona-governors-race) — Hobbs, Biggs launch attack-filled Arizona governor’s race ## Questions **What did Democratic state Rep. Lorena Austin say about the images?** Lorena Austin stated that images appearing to show her supporting Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs were deepfakes. She said the images were generated without her consent and were "100% not me." **Who shared the images that Austin called deepfakes?** The images were shared on X by Matt Whitmire and Mary Ann Mendoza. They are identified as Chase the Vote Managers for Turning Point Action. Both individuals have since deleted the images from their social media accounts. **Did AI-detection systems confirm the images were altered?** Yes, AI-detection systems used by The Arizona Republic indicated that the images were digitally altered. Reports stated that at least one of the images showed signs of digital manipulation. **What was Mary Ann Mendoza's explanation for sharing the images?** Mary Ann Mendoza stated that her post containing the images was intended as a joke with humorous intent. She said that an "open borders radical like Lorena Austin would never stand with a patriot like Andy Biggs." --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/democrat-lorena-austin-calls-deepfake-images-supporting-andy-biggs-100-not-me. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Democrat Lorena Austin calls deepfake images supporting Andy Biggs '100% not me'", https://mediabias.news/politics/democrat-lorena-austin-calls-deepfake-images-supporting-andy-biggs-100-not-me