SouthernWorldwide.com – A Democratic candidate for the Texas House of Representatives is facing significant backlash, including from within her own party, for a recent pledge to detain “American Zionists” at a facility currently used for undocumented immigrants.
Maureen Galindo, who is running in the newly drawn 35th Congressional District, made the inflammatory statement in an Instagram post last week. She declared her intention to transform the Karnes ICE Detention Center into a facility for “American Zionists and former ICE officers for human trafficking.”
Her statement did not stop there. Galindo further elaborated, writing, “It will also be a castration processing center for pedophiles, which will probably be most of the Zionists.” She referred to herself in the third person while making these remarks, adding to the controversy.
Galindo, who has a background as a sex therapist and housing activist, is currently in a primary runoff against Johnny Garcia. This election is also notable due to reports of a Republican-linked super PAC, Lead Left PAC, spending heavily in Democratic primaries. The PAC’s strategy appears to be promoting progressive candidates like Galindo, whom they perceive as weaker opponents in the general election. Mailers from the PAC have highlighted Galindo’s anti-ICE stance and her support for impeaching President Donald Trump.
Critics have labeled Galindo’s statements as antisemitic, prompting condemnation from fellow Democrats and publications like The New York Times. The Times has urged voters to reject her in the May 26 runoff against Garcia, who is considered a more moderate candidate.
Further scrutiny has been cast upon Galindo’s past social media activity. She has accused her opponent, Johnny Garcia, a former hostage negotiator, of wanting “Jews and Mexicans in warehouses.” Additionally, she has alleged that “billionaire Zionists” control trafficking networks in San Antonio and South Texas.
During an appearance on Texas Public Radio, Galindo attempted to refute accusations of antisemitism. However, she simultaneously reaffirmed her opposition to “Zionist Jews.”
Quoting The Times of Israel, Galindo stated, “I’m not antisemitic. In fact, my last serious relationship was with a Jewish man. I’m against Zionist Jews. When I said that the Jews who own Hollywood are doing this, do all Jews own Hollywood? No. The Zionist Jews do. The Zionist Jews own our media, our banks, and all of our politicians.”
These remarks have led to other Democratic figures distancing themselves from her campaign. Texas State Representative James Talarico, a prominent candidate for the U.S. Senate, issued a strong statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. He declared, “This antisemitic rhetoric has no place in our politics. We need leadership in both parties willing to stand up and call out hate wherever it rears its ugly head.” Talarico’s campaign has confirmed he will not support Galindo if she secures the nomination.
U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat from Florida, called on national Democratic leaders to publicly denounce Galindo’s comments. He expressed his outrage on the platform X, formerly Twitter, stating, “First current political candidate suggests concentration camps for American Jews. This should be national news!”
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Similarly, Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona, posted on X that Galindo should be permanently barred from holding public office. His statement underscored the gravity of the accusations and the potential impact on the political landscape.
