A Texas congressional hopeful is under fire from members of her own party after a string of social media posts targeting Zionists sparked accusations of antisemitism and calls for Democratic leaders to publicly condemn her campaign.
According to Fox News, Maureen Galindo, who is running in the Democratic runoff for Texas’ 35th Congressional District, triggered backlash after posting online that she would convert an immigration detention facility into a prison for “American Zionists.”
In an Instagram post shared last week, Galindo wrote that she planned to transform the “Karnes ICE Detention Center into a prison for American Zionists and former ICE officers for human trafficking.”
“It will also be a castration processing center for pedophiles, which will probably be most of the Zionists,” she added.
The remarks quickly circulated online and drew criticism from Democrats and Jewish organizations, with opponents accusing Galindo of spreading antisemitic rhetoric.
Galindo, a housing activist and sex therapist, is facing Johnny Garcia in an upcoming Democratic primary runoff.
Her campaign has also gained attention because of outside spending tied to a Republican-linked super PAC.
According to The New York Times, Lead Left PAC has spent heavily in Democratic primaries supporting progressive candidates Republicans may view as easier opponents in the general election.
Mailers promoting Galindo highlighted positions, including abolishing ICE and impeaching President Donald Trump.
The controversy deepened after additional posts surfaced in which Galindo accused Garcia, a former Bexar County Sheriff’s Office hostage negotiator and spokesperson, of wanting “Jews and Mexicans in warehouses.”
She also claimed “billionaire Zionists” controlled trafficking networks in South Texas and San Antonio.
During an appearance on Texas Public Radio, Galindo pushed back against claims that her comments were antisemitic while continuing to single out Zionist Jews.
“I’m not antisemitic. In fact, my last serious relationship was with a Jewish man,” Galindo said, according to The Times of Israel.
“I’m against Zionist Jews. When I said that the Jews who own Hollywood are doing this, do all Jews own Hollywood? No. The Zionist Jews do. The Zionist Jews own our media, our banks, and all of our politicians.”
The statements prompted several Democrats to publicly denounce her comments.
James Talarico, who is running for the U.S. Senate, called the rhetoric unacceptable.
“This antisemitic rhetoric has no place in our politics,” Talarico told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “We need leadership in both parties willing to stand up and call out hate wherever it rears its ugly head.”
His campaign later confirmed he would not campaign for Galindo if she wins the nomination.
Jared Moskowitz also weighed in on social media, writing on X: “First current political candidate suggests concentration camps for American Jews. This should be national news!”
