Texas Democrat Maureen Galindo under fire after saying she'd make ICE jail a "prison for American Zionists"
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- Maureen Galindo, a Democratic candidate for Texas' 35th Congressional District, faces bipartisan condemnation for antisemitic comments on social media, including a pledge to convert an immigration detention center into a "prison for American Zionists."
- Top Democrats accuse Galindo's campaign of being supported by conservative groups, citing over $800,000 in spending by Lead Left PAC, a newly formed political action committee with possible Republican ties.
- Galindo denies antisemitism, claiming opposition only to "Zionist Jews," but her remarks have drawn strong rebukes from Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and calls for Republicans to stop backing her candidacy.
- The 35th District, previously a Democratic stronghold, was redrawn in Texas' redistricting to favor Republicans, making this primary and the general election highly competitive.
- Both parties often intervene in each other's primaries to support fringe candidates perceived as easier opponents, a tactic suspected in Galindo's case, though Republican leaders deny involvement.