DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇱 Israel /Elections & Politics

Democrats condemn Texas candidate over antisemitic rhetoric ahead of runoff

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Democrats are condemning Maureen Galindo, a candidate for a U.S. House seat in Texas, over her antisemitic rhetoric.
  • Galindo, who topped the primary vote, faces a runoff election and has vowed to turn an immigrant detention center into a prison for "American Zionists."
  • National Democratic leaders, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Hakeem Jeffries, have denounced her language as disqualifying and urged voters to support her opponent, Johnny Garcia.

The emergence of Maureen Galindo as a serious contender for a U.S. House seat in Texas' 35th Congressional District has sent shockwaves through the Democratic party, prompting widespread condemnation of her deeply disturbing antisemitic rhetoric. Rabbi Mara Nathan of Temple Beth El in San Antonio expressed her disorientation at seeing such a virulent conspiracy theorist gain traction, highlighting the alarming nature of Galindo's platform, which includes a vow to turn a local immigrant detention center into a prison for "American Zionists."

It seems shocking that someone who is so virulently antisemitic and anti-Zionist has not only been given a voice, but is even now in this primary runoff.

· Rabbi Mara NathanExpressing her dismay at Maureen Galindo's candidacy and rhetoric.

This situation has forced national Democratic leaders, including progressive icon Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, to publicly distance themselves from Galindo. Ocasio-Cortez unequivocally called her rhetoric "absolutely disgusting" and "bigoted garbage," endorsing her runoff opponent, Johnny Garcia. Jeffries and Rep. Suzan DelBene issued a joint statement declaring Galindo's language "disqualifying" and asserting that it has "no place in American politics, and certainly not in the Democratic Party."

This bigoted garbage and antisemitism should be nowhere near our politics. If you’re in TX-35, vote for @johnnygarciatx.

· Alexandria Ocasio-CortezOn X/Twitter, urging voters to support Johnny Garcia over Maureen Galindo.

Adding a layer of complexity, the Democratic leadership has accused Republican leadership of strategically boosting Galindo's candidacy through the Lead Left PAC. This PAC has reportedly spent significant funds on ads attacking Garcia and promoting Galindo, with its website metadata previously linked to a Republican donation platform. This alleged tactic by Republicans to elevate an extreme candidate in a Democratic primary raises serious questions about campaign strategies and the integrity of the electoral process, particularly in a district where such rhetoric has found a foothold.

The vile language by her is disqualifying and has no place in American politics, and certainly not in the Democratic Party.

· Hakeem Jeffries and Suzan DelBeneIn a joint statement condemning Galindo's rhetoric.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog