Full Breakdown
Johnny Garcia Wins Texas 35th Democratic Primary Runoff Amid Antisemitism Controversy
5/27/2026, 11:28:02 PM
Redistricting and Stakes
In 2025 the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature merged two Democratic districts, creating a new 35th that covers south, east and northeast San Antonio and parts of Guadalupe, Karnes, Wilson and Bexar counties. The Cook Political Report rates the seat R+4; Trump won it by 10.5 points in 2024. Democrats view the ?52 % Hispanic district as winnable if they avoid a nominee whose Israel-related remarks sparked controversy.
Candidates and Endorsements
Sheriff’s deputy Johnny Garcia, a longtime Bexar County law-enforcement official, was backed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the Blue Dog Coalition, Democratic Majority for Israel PAC and leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Housing activist and sex therapist Maureen Galindo raised under $10,000 but received nearly $1 million from Lead Left PAC, whose website metadata links to the GOP platform WinRed. Republican nominee Carlos De La Cruz, an Air Force veteran, secured President Trump’s endorsement.
Timeline and Results
- March 3, 2026 primary: Galindo led with 29.2 % and Garcia trailed with 27.0 %; no candidate reached 50 % -> runoff.
- May 26, 2026 runoff: Garcia won 63.8 % to Galindo’s 36.2 %.
- November 2026 general election will pit Garcia against De La Cruz.
Party Responses
National Democratic leaders condemned Galindo’s “vile, disqualifying language” and urged Republicans to stop “propping up this antisemitic candidacy.” The DCCC’s ad campaign framed Garcia as the “old-school, law-and-order Democrat” needed to retain the seat. Republican officials highlighted Trump’s endorsement of De La Cruz as decisive.
Criticism and Opposition
Jewish members of Congress—including Rep. Jared Moskowitz (FL) and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ)—threatened expulsion resolutions if Galindo wins. Democratic strategist Laura Barberena called Galindo’s rhetoric “bigoted garbage.” Lead Left PAC’s metadata linking to WinRed prompted accusations that the super-PAC is a Republican effort to elevate a polarizing Democratic candidate.
Conflicting Reports on Lead Left PAC
Lead Left PAC has not disclosed donors, and its website metadata suggests a link to WinRed, yet the group denies any Republican coordination. Galindo says her anti-Zionist statements target “billionaire Zionists” rather than Jews, while Democratic leaders label the remarks antisemitic. The PAC’s financing source remains unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “ “This bigoted garbage and antisemitism should be nowhere near our politics.” — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, U.S. Representative (NY)
- “vile language by her is disqualifying and has no place in American politics, and certainly not in the Democratic Party.” — Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader (NY)
- “Republicans just spent weeks and almost a million dollars propping up an antisemite, and they should be ashamed and embarrassed — it was a disgrace,” — Brian Romick, President, Democratic Majority for Israel PAC
Outlook for the General Election
Garcia now faces De La Cruz in a contest that will test whether a centrist Democrat can overcome the district’s Republican-leaning map and Trump-driven voter base. Analysts note that shifting Hispanic sentiment and the district’s affordability concerns could make the race competitive despite the R+4 rating.
