A Democrat from San Antonio running for Congress is facing backlash, including criticism from members of her own party, after a viral Instagram post.
Maureen Galindo, who is fighting for the Democratic nomination in Texas’ newly redrawn 35th Congressional District, wrote in third person and posted the following on May 13:
“The billionaire Zionists that control San Antonio and South Texas trafficking networks have coordinated a blitz campaign to propagate the conspiracy that anti-Zionist Maureen Galindo wants Jews in warehouses. Ironically, Maureen wants all ICE detention centers and warehouses closed. Plus, she would never blame ALL Jews for THE Jews (the Zionists) who have committed genocide on the indigenous Jews (the Semites) of the Middle East, Real Jews are VICTIMS of the Fake Jews (the Zionists).”
Galindo also suggested using the facility as a “castration processing center for pedophiles who will probably be most of the zionists.”
The comments are only the latest in a pattern of remarks that have drawn viral backlash against Galindo as she heads into a May 26 Democratic primary runoff against her opponent, Johnny Garcia.
In response to the backlash, Galinda posted a video on Instagram on May 21, stating, “I literally never said I want Jews in interment camps,” adding, “the ‘interment camps’ was made up by a journalist here who wants me dead. Who literally, I believe, wants me dead.”
Galindo’s Accusations
Earlier this month, Galindo directly accused Garcia of being involved in a human trafficking conspiracy she claims is orchestrated by wealthy Jewish Zionists, per The San Antonio Current. She has also repeatedly promoted the claim that a coordinated network of Jewish Zionists exercises control over Hollywood, major media institutions, and local government officials.
Through all of it, Galindo has maintained that her problem is with Zionism – the political movement supporting a Jewish homeland – and not with Jewish people as a whole.
“I think it’s actually the Zionists who are putting Jewish people at the most risk,” Galindo told The Current.
In response, the Jewish Federation of San Antonio posted a statement on May 12, reading as follows:
“The Jewish Federation of San Antonio strongly condemns the spread of antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories in public discourse. Divisive and hateful rhetoric targeting the Jewish community has no place in our civic life. San Antonio is a vibrant and diverse community, and an attack on any one group is an attack on us all. We call on all candidates and elected officials to engage in meaningful dialogue with the community and refrain from bigoted and offensive attacks.”
Garcia himself also responded to Galindo’s remarks in a video posted to X, where he says, “Jailing people based on their beliefs and rhetoric targeting members of the Jewish community has no place in our Democratic Party or anywhere in public. We should be bringing people together, not spreading hate, division, or dangerous rhetoric that pushes people away from our party and our communities.”
More Democrats Distance Themselves
The backlash within Democratic circles has been quick. John Lira, who ran against Galindo in the earlier primary and subsequently endorsed her for the runoff, formally withdrew that endorsement last week.
“Over the course of the runoff, I have become increasingly troubled by a series of derogatory, inflammatory, and conspiratorial statements directed toward Jewish people and others. Galindo’s comments and posture toward the Jewish community described in Michelle Goldberg’s column in the New York Times on May 11, do not reflect my values, and there is no place for that kind of rhetoric from individuals seeking public office or positions of leadership,” Lira wrote in a statement posted on May 12.
“As a result, I am rescinding my endorsement and will remain neutral in this runoff election,” Lira added.
State Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic nominee in Texas’ high-profile U.S. Senate race, went further. Talarico told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that he would refuse to campaign alongside Galindo under any circumstances — even if she wins the May 26 contest.
“This antisemitic rhetoric has no place in our politics,” Talarico said. “We need leadership in both parties willing to stand up and call out hate where it rears its ugly head.”
The infighting hasn’t gone unnoticed by some Republicans. NRCC Spokesman Christian Martinez told The Dallas Express, “Hakeem Jeffries’ pathetic handpicked candidates were already staggering through the cycle with embarrassing fundraising numbers, zero grassroots energy, and no real support from Texans. Now Democrats Johnny Garcia and Maureen Galindo are tearing each other apart in a full-blown primary civil war, turning their own races into a circular firing squad while Republicans stay focused on the issues Texans care about and build the coalition that’s going to win in November.”
With early voting underway through May 22 and Election Day on May 26, Democrats in Bexar County and across the 35th District will soon have the final word on whether Galindo advances – or whether the controversy ends her campaign.
