Full Breakdown
Texas Democratic Runoff in 35th Congressional District Mired in Antisemitism Allegations
5/25/2026, 7:51:06 PM
Runoff Contest and Emerging Controversy
The Democratic primary for Texas’s 35th Congressional District will be decided in a runoff on May 26, 2026. Maureen Galindo won the March primary with 29.2 % (15,931 votes); Bexar County deputy Johnny Garcia earned 27.0 % (14,743 votes). The race turned contentious after Galindo described Israel’s influence as an “Israeli occupation of America” and suggested converting the Karnes ICE detention center into a prison for “American Zionists.”
Redistricting and District Profile
The 2025 mid-decade Republican redistricting removed the district’s Austin-based area and added eastern Bexar County, Guadalupe, Wilson and Karnes counties. The new map makes the 35th more Republican-leaning while preserving a large Hispanic electorate, turning a formerly solid Democratic seat into a competitive November race.
Candidates and Funding
Galindo, a housing-reform activist, is backed by the newly formed Lead Left PAC, which has spent over $600,000 on ads and more than $900,000 total in the race. Garcia, a former deputy sheriff, is endorsed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Galindo’s campaign reported $10,917 in contributions through early May; Lead Left PAC’s donors remain undisclosed. The PAC’s ads framed Galindo as a progressive alternative to Garcia.
Official Democratic Responses
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene called Galindo’s remarks “extremely dangerous,” “vile,” and having “no place in Democratic politics.” Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called the comments “bigoted garbage and antisemitism.” Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Jared Moskowitz said they would move to expel Galindo daily if she were sworn in. Texas Rep. James Talarico endorsed Garcia. Speaker Mike Johnson said he was unaware of Galindo and called the remarks “crazy.”
Criticism and Opposition
Garcia condemned Galindo’s statements as “conspiracy theories and hateful rhetoric,” noting Republican operatives view her as an easy opponent. San Antonio’s Jewish community told Garcia the remarks deterred them from voting. Democratic officials have accused Washington Republicans of channeling dark-money support to Galindo through Lead Left PAC.
Conflicting Reports
Galindo denies using the term “internment camps,” saying she said “prison” instead; earlier coverage, however, quoted her proposing a prison for “American Zionists” that would also serve as a “castration processing center for pedophiles.” Lead Left PAC’s funding source remains unverified, with both parties noting undisclosed donors.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is an Israeli occupation of America,” — Maureen Galindo, interview on Texas Public Radio
- “In fact, my last serious relationship was with a Jewish man,” — Maureen Galindo, Instagram post
- “If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it sure seems to be a duck,” — Jon Taylor, professor
- “no place in Democratic politics” — Hakeem Jeffries and Suzan DelBene, joint statement
What’s Next
The May 26 runoff will decide the Democratic nominee, who will face either State Rep. John Luján or Trump-endorsed candidate Carlos de la Cruz in the November general election. The result will determine whether the newly drawn 35th District stays Democratic or flips Republican.
