Garcia Defeats Galindo After Antisemitic Comments Spark Democratic Revolt

Maureen Galindo, a Democratic candidate for Texas' 35th Congressional District, lost her primary runoff on May 26, 2026, after posting on Instagram that she would convert the Karnes County ICE Detention Center into a prison for "American Zionists" and former ICE officers. Galindo further stated the facility would serve as a "castration processing center for pedophiles," claiming most Zionists fit that description. She also accused her runoff opponent, Johnny Garcia, of participating in a Zionist-led human trafficking operation and called for him to be tried for treason.

The remarks triggered immediate and sweeping condemnation from Democratic leaders. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene declared her comments disqualifying and accused Republican-linked groups of propping up her candidacy. Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called the posts "bigoted garbage and antisemitism," while Jared Moskowitz and Josh Gottheimer vowed to force daily expulsion votes if she were elected. The San Antonio Jewish Federation and the Texas Democratic Party also denounced her rhetoric. Galindo defended herself by claiming she opposed only "billionaire Zionists," not Jewish people generally.

National Democrats alleged that Lead Left PAC, a super PAC that spent nearly $1 million supporting Galindo, was a Republican effort to meddle in the primary by boosting a fringe candidate. House Speaker Mike Johnson denied Republican involvement. The DCCC and allied PACs poured roughly $1.4 million into supporting Garcia.

Garcia, a Bexar County sheriff's deputy, defeated Galindo by more than 20 percentage points, with preliminary tallies ranging from 60.5% to 63.8% for Garcia. He will face Republican Carlos De La Cruz, an Air Force veteran endorsed by Donald Trump, in the November general election for the redrawn district spanning San Antonio to Austin, which the Cook Political Report rates as having a Republican lean.