National and Texas Democrats, along with Jewish community leaders in the San Antonio area, have condemned Democratic congressional candidate Maureen Galindo over comments about “Zionists” and Jews as voters head into the May 26 primary runoff in Texas’ 35th Congressional District.
In the Democratic primary runoff for Texas’ 35th Congressional District, Maureen Galindo is facing Johnny Garcia, a Bexar County sheriff’s deputy, in a contest centered in the San Antonio area.
The runoff has drawn national attention after Galindo made statements on social media and in interviews that critics—among them Democratic officials and local Jewish organizations—have described as antisemitic. Those critics have pointed to posts in which Galindo called for an immigration detention facility in Karnes County to be converted into what she described as a prison for “American Zionists,” language that prompted sharp rebukes from Democratic leaders and Jewish community representatives.
Galindo has denied that her comments were antisemitic, while Democrats backing Garcia have argued the rhetoric risks hurting the party in a district that has become more competitive following Republican-led redistricting.
Voting in the runoff concludes Tuesday, May 26, with the winner advancing to the November general election.
