A Texas Democratic congressional candidate has been condemned by her own party after a campaign post called for 'American Zionists' to be jailed in an ICE detention centre. Maureen Galindo, a sex therapist and housing activist, is in a primary runoff for the state’s 35th Congressional District against Bexar County sheriff’s deputy Johnny Garcia, with voting due on 26 May.
Galindo attracted backlash after appearing on Texas Public Radio on 13 May, where she declared that 'anybody who is supported by Israel should be tried for treason' and repeated antisemitic tropes alleging Zionist influence over the media and banking sectors. Subsequently, her campaign Instagram account posted an attack on Garcia, claiming he 'wants Jews and Mexicans in warehouses.'
The post alleged that 'billionaire Zionists who control San Antonio and South Texas' were out to smear her. It said: 'When Maureen gets into Congress, she’ll draft legislation so that all Zionism and support of Zionism is undoubtedly Anti-Semitic... She’ll turn Karnes ICE Detention Center into a prison for American Zionists and former ICE officers for human trafficking.' The post also insisted she would not blame all Jews, adding 'real Jews are VICTIMS of the Fake Jews (the Zionists).'
Galindo told The Independent: 'I never said I want Jews in internment camps. I said I want to close all ICE detention centers and put billionaire American Zionists involved in trafficking into prison.' Her rival Garcia said the posts were hurting the Jewish community and could deter voters. The Texas Democratic Party rebuked Galindo, stating: 'Antisemitism and hateful rhetoric have no place in the Democratic Party.'
New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez urged Texans to vote for Garcia, calling Galindo’s words 'absolutely disgusting.' Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Jared Moskowitz threatened to force a vote to expel her if she wins. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic Congressional Campaign Chair Suzan DelBene accused Republicans of using a PAC to 'secretly support' Galindo, calling her comments 'disqualifying.'
