Texas Democratic Candidate Draws Bipartisan Condemnation After Vowing to Turn ICE Center Into 'Prison for American Zionists'

Maureen Galindo, a Democratic congressional candidate in Texas' 35th District, is facing widespread bipartisan condemnation after social media posts in which she said she would convert the Karnes ICE Detention Center into a 'prison for American Zionists' if elected.

In an Instagram post, Galindo wrote she would 'turn Karnes ICE Detention Center into a prison for American Zionists and former ICE officers for human trafficking,' and added that the facility 'will also be a castration processing center for pedophiles which will probably be most of the Zionists.' She also wrote — referring to herself in the third person — that 'when Maureen gets into Congress, she'll write legislation so that all Zionism and support of Zionism is undoubtedly Anti-Semitic, since it's Zionists harming the Semites.' Her feed includes other posts attacking 'billionaire Zionists' and suggesting that 'Zionist associated candidates and politicians' deserve 'treason trials.'

Galindo has denied being antisemitic, saying she opposes 'Zionist Jews.' That distinction has not quelled criticism from leaders across the political spectrum.

Political Fallout

Leaders from both parties publicly condemned the comments. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Suzan DelBene, who chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, called the posts 'extremely dangerous' and 'vile' and urged House Republican leadership to stop supporting the candidacy. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez labeled the remarks 'bigoted garbage and antisemitism.' State and local figures — including Galindo's Democratic primary rival Johnny Garcia and Texas gubernatorial candidate James Talarico — also distanced themselves.

'House Republican leadership must immediately cease propping up this antisemitic candidacy, pull spending in the race and forcefully condemn these comments,' Jeffries and DelBene said in their joint statement.

Republican candidates in the succeeding GOP runoff similarly condemned the rhetoric. House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters he was unaware of Galindo prior to the controversy and denied Republican involvement, while also using the episode to criticize the direction of the Democratic Party.

Questions About Outside Spending

Many Democrats have alleged that conservative operatives are attempting to boost Galindo. A newly formed PAC called Lead Left PAC reported more than $800,000 in spending described as pro-Galindo and anti-Garcia in recent Federal Election Commission filings. Lead Left identifies as anti-Trump and its donors are not publicly listed.

Reporters have flagged potential links between the PAC and Republican-aligned fundraising infrastructure. Punchbowl News reported metadata on the PAC's website referring to WinRed, a fundraising platform commonly used by GOP campaigns; The New York Times also raised questions about possible Republican ties. CBS News has not independently confirmed those connections.

Both parties have a history of intervening in opposing primaries to promote candidates they view as easier to beat in general elections. CBS News has reached out to Galindo's campaign and to Lead Left PAC for comment.

Race Context

Galindo, a sex therapist, and Johnny Garcia, a former sheriff's deputy, advanced to a Democratic runoff after no candidate won a majority in the initial primary. The runoff is scheduled for next week. On the Republican side, the primary runoff is between Carlos De La Cruz, a small business owner and Air Force veteran, and State Rep. John Lujan, a former sheriff's deputy. President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson have endorsed De La Cruz.

Texas' redistricting last summer substantially changed the 35th District, which covers parts of San Antonio and surrounding areas. The redrawn map shifted the seat from a deep-blue district that stretched from Austin to San Antonio into a district that is now more favorable to Republicans. The current congressman, Rep. Greg Casar, is running as the Democratic nominee in the Austin-area 37th District.

Note: Reporting on potential connections between Lead Left PAC and Republican groups is based on reporting from Punchbowl News and The New York Times; those links have not been independently confirmed by CBS News.