Controversy Surrounding Democratic Candidate in Texas

Democrats are working to prevent Maureen Galindo, a candidate accused of antisemitism, from winning a primary in a competitive U.S. House district near San Antonio. The Democratic House leader, Hakeem Jeffries, charged that Republicans might be secretly supporting Galindo to weaken the Democrats in the November elections. Two Jewish House members promised to call for daily votes to expel her if she wins a congressional seat.

Galindo, who is a progressive sex therapist without much political background, stirred controversy by suggesting an immigration detention center convert into a prison for ‘American Zionists.’ She clarified that she did not mean that all Jewish people should be imprisoned. Galindo argued a local journalist misrepresented her words, stating, ‘I have always advocated for the closure of all detention centers.’

Despite the discussions in Washington and online, the primary runoff seemed to receive less attention in Texas’s 35th district. Many voters, interviewed on the last day of early voting, were unaware or unfamiliar with Galindo’s controversy.