Party officials within the Democratic organization are working to stop Maureen Galindo, a congressional hopeful who has made multiple antisemitic statements, from securing the party’s nomination in an upcoming Texas runoff election, while also claiming that Republicans are secretly backing her candidacy.
The runoff pits Galindo against Johnny Garcia for the Democratic nomination to represent the state’s 35th Congressional District, which covers the San Antonio region. Texas Republicans redrew the district boundaries with the goal of improving their party’s odds of retaining control of the seat during this year’s midterm elections.
Democratic officials grew concerned after Galindo topped the March 3 primary results with 29% of the vote compared to Garcia’s 27%. Party leaders believe the district could stay within reach, regardless of the redistricting efforts, if Democrats perform well nationally, and they want to avoid having a nominee whose controversial statements could hurt their chances.
The runoff election occurs during a period of increased worry about antisemitism spreading throughout different political movements and debates over how to address candidates who hold extremist positions.
Among Galindo’s statements were demands to jail “American Zionists” and convert a federal immigration detention facility into a prison for this purpose.
“She’ll turn Karnes ICE Detention Center into a prison for American Zionists and former ICE officers for human trafficking,” Galindo’s campaign Instagram account said. It added: “(It will also be a castration processing center for pedophiles, which will probably be most of the Zionists).”
A political action committee known as Lead Left PAC, which describes itself as opposing President Donald Trump, has endorsed Galindo. Nevertheless, Democrats contend the organization receives Republican funding, and the New York Times published reporting suggesting possible connections.
“House Republican leadership must immediately cease propping up this antisemitic candidacy,” Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair Suzan DelBene said in a statement.
The National Republican Congressional Committee avoided addressing Democratic accusations about backing the Lead Left PAC, instead attacking the Democratic candidates for “embarrassing fundraising numbers, zero grassroots energy, and no real support from Texans.”
Through email, Galindo claimed her proposal was “NEVER for Jewish Zionists — it’s for BILLIONAIRE Zionists.” She argued that national Democratic leaders were trying to make her comments sound worse than intended.
Democratic officials have rejected Galindo’s language. Beyond the DelBene and Jeffries statement, Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York called it “disgusting” and said it shouldn’t be near “our politics.”
Representatives Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Jared Moskowitz of Florida said in a statement Wednesday that if Galindo were to win election to Congress, they’d force votes to expel her “every single day we are here.”
Garcia said in a video posted on social media that the comments have no place in the race.
“We should be bringing people together, not spreading hate, division or dangerous rhetoric,” he said.
Lead Left PAC did not respond to requests for comment.
