Democrat’s Comment About ‘Zionists’ Drew Rebuke. Will Texas Voters Care?

Democrats have been working to prevent a lesser-known candidate accused of antisemitism from becoming the party’s nominee in a contested U.S. House race near San Antonio. The candidate, Maureen Galindo, has drawn attention and controversy for comments about an immigration detention center.

The Democratic House leader, Hakeem Jeffries, suggested that Republicans might be supporting Galindo to weaken the Democrats’ chances in November. In response, two Jewish House members have pledged to seek her expulsion from Congress if she wins.

Galindo, who works as a progressive sex therapist and has limited political background, became a focal point of national attention after proposing that an immigration detention facility be turned into “a prison for American Zionists.” She later clarified in a text to The New York Times that her words were misrepresented by a journalist and reaffirmed her stance against all detention centers.

Despite the discussions in Washington and on political forums online, the primary runoff did not attract much notice in Texas’s 35th congressional district. During interviews with voters on the last day of early voting, most were unaware of the controversy surrounding Galindo or had little knowledge of the details.

Edgar Sandoval reported from the 35th congressional district in San Antonio, while J. David Goodman provided insights from Houston.