A Texas Democratic congressional candidate accused of antisemitism has been condemned by her own party after a campaign post called for “American Zionists” to be jailed in an ICE detention center. Maureen Galindo, a sex therapist and housing activist, is embroiled in an intense primary runoff for the state’s 35th Congressional District against Bexar County sheriff’s deputy Johnny Garcia, with voting scheduled for May 26.
Controversial Comments on Texas Public Radio
Galindo attracted backlash after appearing on Texas Public Radio on May 13, where she declared that “anybody who is supported by Israel should be tried for treason” and repeated several antisemitic tropes alleging Zionist influence over the media and banking sectors. Subsequently, the Maureen for Congress Instagram account posted an attack on Garcia claiming that “Johnny Garcia wants Jews and Mexicans in warehouses.”
Offensive Campaign Posts
Over seven slides, the post alleged that “billionaire Zionists who control San Antonio and South Texas” were out to smear her. “When Maureen gets into Congress, she’ll draft legislation so that all Zionism and support of Zionism is undoubtedly Anti-Semitic, since it’s Zionists harming the Semites,” the campaign post said. “She’ll turn Karnes ICE Detention Center into a prison for American Zionists and former ICE officers for human trafficking. (It will also be a castration processing center for pedophiles which will probably be most of the Zionists).” The post also insisted “she would never blame ALL Jews” for loss of life in the Middle East, before adding “real Jews are VICTIMS of the Fake Jews (the Zionists).”
Galindo's Defense
Asked about the posts by The Washington Post, Galindo said in a statement that her proposal was “NEVER for Jewish Zionists – it’s for BILLIONAIRE Zionists” and claimed national Democrats had inflamed her comments. The Independent has reached out to Galindo’s campaign for further comment.
Reaction from Rival and Local Party
Her rival, Johnny Garcia, told TPR that members of San Antonio’s Jewish community have said the offensive output is putting them off voting. “It hurts people,” he said. “It gets people to sit out of elections and lose faith in the Democratic Party.” The Texas Democratic Party likewise rebuked Galindo, stating: “Antisemitism and hateful rhetoric have no place in the Democratic Party or in our communities. Maureen Galindo’s comments do not reflect our values as Democrats or as Texans. We believe in dignity, inclusion, and respect for people of every faith and background, and we unequivocally reject language that promotes hate or discrimination.”
National Condemnation
The outrage has reached Washington, D.C., with New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez urging Texans to vote for Garcia and calling Galindo’s words “absolutely disgusting.” “This bigoted garbage and antisemitism should be nowhere near our politics,” she added. Fellow representatives Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Jared Moskowitz of Florida said in a joint statement: “If for some reason Maureen Galindo wins the Congressional election in TX-35, as soon as she is sworn in, we will force a vote to expel her every single day we are here. Maureen’s insane, antisemitic views – including putting Americans in concentration camps – have no place in our party or our country.”
Party Leadership Response
In a further statement, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic Congressional Campaign Chair Suzan DelBene accused Republicans of using a PAC to “secretly support” Galindo, adding that her comments were “disqualifying” and “extremely dangerous.” Galindo and Garcia are competing for the chance to take on either John Lujan or Carlos De La Cruz, the two Republicans running in a parallel primary, in pursuit of a seat currently held by progressive Democrat Representative Greg Casar, who is stepping aside to run in a different district.
