The Democratic primary runoff for Texas’s 35th Congressional District was decided on Tuesday, with Johnny Garcia emerging as the party’s nominee. Garcia, a public information officer for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, will now meet Republican Carlos De La Cruz in the November general election.
Background to the runoff
The district was redrawn ahead of the 2024 cycle and is widely regarded as "likely Republican". Nevertheless, the Democratic primary attracted attention when anti‑Israel sex therapist Maureen Galindo finished first in the March primary, forcing a runoff with Garcia.
Controversy surrounding Galindo
Galindo’s campaign was derailed after a video posted to her Facebook page in October 2025 resurfaced. In the clip she claimed that Jews who own Hollywood use books and movies to create realities and that they worship Satan. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries called her "vile," "antisemitic," and "unworthy of anyone backing her." The remarks prompted a swift backlash.
ActBlue suspended Galindo from its donation platform, and several Jewish Democratic members of Congress said they would move to expel her if she were elected. Mainstream Democratic organisations withdrew support, and TrackAIPAC rescinded its endorsement.
Financially, Galindo’s campaign raised less than $11,000 from four donors, with the candidate herself contributing over $4,000. The campaign first entered the national spotlight after a Washington Free Beacon report highlighted her past anti‑Jewish statements.
Her controversial statements were not limited to the October video. An Instagram post dated 13 May declared her intention to "turn Karnes ICE Detention Center into a prison for American Zionists and former ICE officers for human trafficking" and described the facility as a "castration processing center for pedophiles," which she claimed would "probably be most of the Zionists." The post amplified the outcry and led to a total withdrawal of Democratic backing.
Implications for the general election
The runoff result is being welcomed by Democratic leaders, who feared that Galindo’s candidacy could have damaged the party’s reputation among Jewish voters and broader constituencies. With Garcia now the nominee, the focus shifts to the November contest in a district that, while redrawn to favour Republicans, remains competitive.
The episode has sparked a wider discussion about anti‑Semitism within the Democratic Party and the importance of vetting candidates’ backgrounds. Observers expect the issue to remain a point of debate throughout the remainder of the election season, influencing the party’s relationship with Jewish organisations and voters.