Texas Democrat Galindo Sparks Runoff Uproar With 'Zionists' Prison Remark as $900,000 PAC Role Draws Scrutiny
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · May 22
Texas Democrat Galindo Sparks Runoff Uproar With 'Zionists' Prison Remark as $900,000 PAC Role Draws Scrutiny
9 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · May 22
Maureen Galindo, who led Texas' 35th District Democratic primary with 29%, is facing a backlash after saying she wanted to jail and castrate “American Zionists” at a local ICE detention center.
Democratic leaders including Hakeem Jeffries, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Texas Democratic Party condemned the remarks as antisemitic, while Galindo denied targeting Jews and said she meant “billionaire American Zionists.”
Lead Left PAC has spent more than $900,000 backing Galindo since early May, prompting Democrats to accuse Republicans of covertly boosting a weak general-election opponent; the PAC has not disclosed donors and faces a legal challenge over reporting.
Republicans seized on the episode to portray Democrats as tolerant of antisemitism, even as House Republicans' campaign arm declined to say whether it was tied to the PAC.
The fight lands days before Tuesday's runoff against Johnny Garcia in a district Trump carried by 10 points in 2024 but Democrats still see as competitive.
How can anonymous 'dark money' secretly influence voter choices in a primary election?
Where is the line drawn between sharp criticism of Zionism and antisemitic rhetoric?
Antisemitism, GOP Meddling, and Party Turmoil: Inside the High-Stakes TX-35 Democratic Runoff
Overview
The Democratic runoff for Texas’s 35th Congressional District has become highly controversial after candidate Maureen Galindo, who led the March primary, made remarks that were widely condemned by leaders from both parties. The district, recently redrawn by Texas Republicans to improve their chances in the midterms, now sees Galindo facing Johnny Garcia in the May 26 runoff. The uproar over Galindo’s statements has led to strong public denunciations and threats of expulsion if she wins, highlighting deep divisions and raising the stakes for both parties in this pivotal election.