Democratic leaders are trying to prevent Maureen Galindo, a candidate who has repeatedly expressed antisemitic views, from winning their party's nomination in Tuesday's Texas runoff election for the state's 35th Congressional District.
Galindo faces Johnny Garcia in the Democratic runoff for the San Antonio-area district. The seat was redrawn by Texas Republicans to boost their party's chances of holding onto it in this year's midterms. Galindo received the most votes in the March 3 primary with 29%, while Garcia earned 27%.
What the Right Is Saying
The National Republican Congressional Committee did not address Democrats' claims about supporting Galindo through the Lead Left PAC, but criticized the Democratic candidates in the district.
"They have embarrassing fundraising numbers, zero grassroots energy, and no real support from Texans," an NRCC spokesperson said.
Galindo defended her proposal in an email to reporters. "It's NEVER for Jewish Zionists — it's for BILLIONAIRE Zionists," she wrote, adding that national Democrats sought to inflame her comments.
What the Left Is Saying
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair Suzan DelBene issued a joint statement calling on Republicans to distance themselves from Galindo's campaign. "House Republican leadership must immediately cease propping up this antisemitic candidacy," they said.
Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York called Galindo's language "disgusting" and said it shouldn't be near "our politics."
Representatives Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Jared Moskowitz of Florida said in a statement that if Galindo were to win election to Congress, they would force votes to expel her "every single day we are here."
Garcia posted a video on social media condemning the comments. "We should be bringing people together, not spreading hate, division or dangerous rhetoric," he said.
What the Numbers Show
In the March 3 Democratic primary for Texas's 35th Congressional District: Galindo received 29% of votes, Garcia received 27%, and a third candidate earned the remaining share. The winner of Tuesday's runoff will face the Republican nominee in November.
The district was redrawn by Texas Republicans following redistricting, a process Democrats argued was designed to favor GOP candidates. Despite the new boundaries, party leaders believe the seat could remain competitive if Democrats have a strong electoral year.
The Bottom Line
Tuesday's runoff represents a test of how political parties handle nominees with inflammatory rhetoric. Galindo's comments included calls for imprisoning "American Zionists" and transforming an ICE detention facility into what her campaign described as a prison for that purpose, along with additional violent language directed at certain groups.
Democrats have formally disavowed her statements while threatening expulsion proceedings if she wins the general election. The controversy has also raised questions about alleged cross-party funding through political action committees like Lead Left PAC, which bills itself as opposed to President Donald Trump but which Democrats say is funded by Republicans.