SouthernWorldwide.com – A Democratic congressional candidate in Texas, Maureen Galindo, has clarified her controversial statements regarding the conversion of an immigration detention center, following significant backlash from prominent members of her own party.
Galindo, who is seeking a House seat in Texas’s 35th Congressional District, had previously suggested she would transform the Karnes ICE Detention Center near San Antonio into a facility for “American Zionists.” She also made remarks about it serving as a “castration processing center for pedophiles.”
These comments, initially posted on social media, drew sharp criticism and were labeled “vile” and “disqualifying” by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, among others.
In a video posted on Facebook, Galindo stated that she had received numerous “death threats” and other “vile” messages in the wake of her initial remarks. She sought to distance herself from the interpretation that she advocated for the internment of Jewish people.
“I never said I want Jews in internment camps,” Galindo clarified. “I said I want to close all ICE detention centers and put billionaire American Zionists who are funding the genocidal prison systems involved in trafficking into prison.”
She further questioned the notion of individuals involved in criminal activities not facing imprisonment. “If they committed a crime, do they not belong in prison?” she asked.
Galindo also expressed her opposition to internment camps in general, advocating for their closure, particularly those in South Texas, which she identified as U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities. “I’m against all internment camps and would like to see them all shut down ASAP, starting with the many in South Texas,” she stated.
The candidate accused the DCCC of orchestrating negative statements against her. She suggested this was an effort to support her primary runoff opponent, Johnny Garcia, a former hostage negotiator and public information officer for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
Galindo also pointed fingers at a local journalist, whom she claimed had a personal vendetta against her, for allegedly fabricating the “internment camps” comment. She alleged this journalist “literally wants me dead.”
The controversy ignited earlier this month when Galindo posted on Instagram her intention to convert the Karnes ICE Detention Center. Her original post stated it would become “a prison for American Zionists and former ICE officers for human trafficking.”
In addition to her remarks about Zionists, Galindo’s post included a highly controversial statement about the facility becoming a “castration processing center for pedophiles, which will probably be most of the Zionists.”
In other social media exchanges, Galindo, who identifies as a family therapist and housing advocate, made further accusations against Garcia. She claimed he wanted “Jews and Mexicans in warehouses.” She also alleged that “billionaire Zionists” were orchestrating trafficking networks in San Antonio and South Texas.
The swift condemnation from within the Democratic Party included statements from prominent figures. Texas State Representative James Talarico, U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York all publicly distanced themselves from Galindo’s remarks.
A joint statement was issued by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene, denouncing Galindo’s rhetoric as “vile” and “disqualifying.”
The DCCC had previously accused “Washington Republicans” of secretly funding Galindo’s campaign through dark money channels.
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Galindo and Garcia are preparing for a runoff election scheduled for the following week. In the initial vote, Galindo held a slight lead over Garcia, securing 29% of the vote compared to Garcia’s 27%. Neither candidate achieved the 50% threshold necessary to secure the nomination outright.
