Maureen Galindo lost her Democratic runoff on Tuesday after weeks of backlash over remarks about imprisoning “American Zionists” at an ICE detention facility sparked outrage across her party.
Galindo was defeated by Johnny Garcia in the race for Texas’ newly redrawn 35th Congressional District, according to Fox News.
The South Texas district became open after Gregorio Casar decided to run in a neighboring district that is being vacated by Lloyd Doggett.
Republican-led redistricting reshaped the seat into a more GOP-friendly district, raising the stakes for Democrats already concerned about holding onto the area.
Galindo, a sex therapist, drew national criticism earlier this year after suggesting “American Zionists” could be detained at an ICE facility in the district.
She denied that she was proposing an “internment camp,” but the comments triggered swift condemnation from prominent Democrats, including Hakeem Jeffries and 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 also predicted voters would reject Galindo at the ballot box.
Galindo first shocked political observers in March when she narrowly edged Garcia in the initial primary, forcing the race into a runoff after neither candidate secured a majority.
Garcia positioned himself as the more moderate Democrat during the campaign.
A San Antonio native, Garcia previously worked as a police deputy, SWAT hostage negotiator, and public information officer for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
He publicly condemned Galindo’s remarks and argued Republicans had helped elevate her profile by amplifying the controversy surrounding her comments.
The runoff became a closely watched test for Democrats trying to avoid political damage in a district already trending more Republican after redistricting.
Two Republicans are now competing for the GOP nomination in the district, including a relative of nearby Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz.
With Galindo defeated, Democrats avoided a general election matchup many in the party feared could become politically disastrous.
