Overview
- Maureen Galindo posted on Instagram that she would convert the Karnes ICE detention center into a “prison for American Zionists” and a “castration processing center for pedophiles,” comments that have drawn broad backlash.
- Top House Democrats Hakeem Jeffries and Suzan DelBene publicly condemned the language as disqualifying and urged Republican operatives to stop propping up the candidacy.
- A newly registered group called Lead Left PAC has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to boost Galindo, FEC filings show, and reporting has flagged website metadata linking the PAC to GOP fundraising infrastructure.
- Galindo has denied she is antisemitic and says she targets Zionists, but lawmakers across the party have distanced themselves and some are pushing the DCCC to spend to defeat her in the May 26 Democratic runoff.
- The contest matters beyond the primary because Texas’s 35th was redrawn to favor Republicans, raising the risk that elevated spending for a fringe Democratic nominee could help the GOP flip the seat in November.