Texas Democrat Maureen Galindo loses runoff following her calls to jail ‘American zionists’

AUSTIN, TEXAS: Democrat Maureen Galindo lost her South Texas primary runoff Tuesday after a campaign that turned into one of the most controversial Democratic contests of the cycle.

Galindo, a South Texas s*x therapist, was defeated by Bexar County Sheriff’s Office official Johnny Garcia, according to the Associated Press.

The race had already attracted a lot of attention because of the district itself. The seat was redrawn as part of Texas Republicans’ redistricting push and is currently represented by Rep. Gregorio Casar, a member of the progressive “Squad.”

A campaign that became a national problem for Democrats

Galindo’s campaign dominated national headlines after she was accused of antisemitism over remarks involving immigration detention facilities.

In an Instagram post earlier this month, Galindo said she would turn the “Karnes ICE Detention Center into a prison for American Zionists and former ICE officers for human trafficking.”

She later pushed back against criticism that she was proposing an “internment camp,” but the damage was already done.

The controversy worsened because Galindo had surprised observers in March by narrowly finishing ahead of Garcia in the original Democratic primary, forcing Tuesday’s runoff and elevating her profile.

Her remarks were labeled antisemitic and triggered condemnation from figures across her own party, including House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

“This vile language by her is disqualifying and has no place in American politics, and certainly not in the Democratic Party," Jeffries and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said in a joint statement. “To embrace and uplift a fringe candidate with antisemitic — and extremely dangerous — rhetoric and views in order to win an election is beyond the pale.”

The statement added, “Texans will not be fooled and will reject her at the ballot box next week.”

Galindo’s critics were not limited to elected officials. Reports also noted that even voices on the left and editorial opinion pages turned against her candidacy, with The New York Times urging Democratic voters not to allow her to prevail in the May 26 runoff.

Johnny Garcia’s moderate pitch and questions about outside influence

Garcia, a San Antonio native, entered the runoff presenting himself as a more traditional Democrat.

His background included work as a police deputy, a SWAT hostage negotiator, and later as a public information officer speaking on behalf of law enforcement.

Throughout the campaign, Garcia framed himself as an old-school Democrat and emerged as the more moderate option in the contest.

He also slammed Galindo’s rhetoric and suggested Republicans deserved part of the blame for helping amplify her visibility.

There were also reports that a mystery super PAC linked to Republican interests had spent heavily in Democratic primaries while boosting progressive candidates viewed as potentially weaker general-election opponents.

According to The New York Times, the group (Lead Left PAC) circulated mailers promoting Galindo and touting her support for dismantling ICE and impeaching President Donald Trump as Republicans work to protect their narrow House majority.

Galindo continued making inflammatory accusations during the runoff. In social media posts, she accused Garcia of wanting “Jews and Mexicans in warehouses.”

She also alleged that “billionaire Zionists” controlled San Antonio and South Texas trafficking networks.

During an appearance on Texas Public Radio earlier this month, Galindo rejected accusations that she was antisemitic while reaffirming her opposition to “Zionist Jews.”