Rabbi Mara Nathan expresses that it has been “very disorienting” to see an antisemitic conspiracy theorist becoming a serious candidate for a US House seat in her Texas district.
Nathan, who resides in San Antonio, is concerned about Maureen Galindo. The local activist has declared intentions to turn a nearby immigrant detention center “into a prison for American Zionists.” In March, she was the leading vote-getter in a Democratic primary and is now preparing for a runoff on Tuesday.
“It’s shocking that someone so openly antisemitic and anti-Zionist not only has a platform but is now competing in this primary runoff,” said Nathan, the senior rabbi of Temple Beth El, which has been around for 150 years as part of the Reform movement. This was stated during an interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Galindo’s extreme statements have gained national attention as the runoff approaches in Texas’ 35th Congressional District. Her comments have drawn criticism from other Democrats, including those who have their own criticisms of Israel and its supporters within the U. S.
Democratic leaders take a stand against candidate
Last week, James Talarico, a Texas Senate candidate, told JTA that he would not support or campaign alongside Galindo if she wins against sheriff’s deputy Johnny Garcia in the runoff.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 14: James Talarico speaks onstage during ”Raging Moderates” at the Vox Media Podcast Stage at SXSW on March 14, 2026 in Austin, Texas (credit: Rick Kern/Getty Images for Vox Media)
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, known for her progressive stance and criticism of Israel, backed Garcia in a post on X/Twitter Tuesday. She labeled Galindo’s rhetoric as “absolutely disgusting.”
“This bigoted garbage and antisemitism should be nowhere near our politics. If you’re in TX-35, vote for @johnnygarciatx,” Ocasio-Cortez urged.
On Tuesday too, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries along with Washington Democratic Rep. Suzan Del Bene released a joint statement denouncing Galindo’s remarks as “vile language” which they believe is disqualifying and should not be found within American politics or especially within the Democratic Party.
Accusations towards Republicans regarding candidacy support
The two Democratic leaders also accused Republican leadership of supporting Galindo by backing Lead Left PAC. This PAC reportedly spent nearly $600,000 on s attacking Garcia while promoting Galindo.
While this PAC hasn’t disclosed its donors yet, metadata previously linked it to Win Red-a Republican fundraising platform-according to Punchbowl News reports. Ocasio-Cortez highlighted this connection in her statement saying that “the donors behind the Republican super PAC funding her should be exposed.”
Jeffries and Del Bene called on Republican leaders to “immediately stop supporting this antisemitic candidacy,” pulling spending from the race while strongly condemning these comments; they added that “MAGA extremists should be ashamed of themselves.”
In response to inquiries from The New York Times concerning funding related to promotional materials supporting her campaign, Galindo suggested that these funds came from “a billionaire zionist who made the pac to sabotage candidates.”
“Dems and Republicans uniting against me with identical messages this week shows they are colluding for zionist billionaires controlling our government and tax dollars,” Galindo shared with The Times.
Neither Galindo nor Win Red responded immediately to requests for comment from JTA; attempts to reach Lead Left PAC or the Republican National Committee were unsuccessful as well.
Responses from Jewish groups and lawmakers
Brian Romick, head of Democratic Majority For Israel whose organization recently launched an ad campaign backing Garcia worth six figures also criticized Lead Left PAC’s spending on Galindo through his statement urging Republicans to explain their financial support keeping her competitive.
“Republicans aren’t doing this by accident,” Romick stated. “They are intentionally elevating one of America’s most grotesque antisemites this election cycle because they believe it will aid their chances.”
Numerous Jewish Democrats including Sen. Jacky Rosen from Nevada along with Reps. Josh Gottheimer from New Jersey and Jared Moskowitz from Florida also spoke out against Galindo’s comments. In a joint statement issued Wednesday Gottheimer and Moskowitz emphasized if Galindo secures victory they would initiate efforts each day they’re present in Congress aimed at expelling her.
The Jewish Federation of San Antonio did not respond promptly when JTA requested their comments regarding this issue but had seemingly reacted last week through Facebook post urging candidates and officials alike to avoid making bigoted remarks or offensive attacks.</href="#"/ h3
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The widespread backlash gives Nathan confidence that opposition toward Galindo’s rhetoric spans across different factions within the Democratic party.
“It’s encouraging that even those who are critical of Israel recognize that being critical of government doesn’t equate to suggesting putting Jewish people into internment camps,” Nathan mentioned.
Nathan expressed hope that increasing awareness surrounding this race could motivate Texans to “wake up” and advocate for more rational leadership methods within their community.
“We need both elected representatives and aspiring candidates to denounce such antisemitic speech regardless of political beliefs,” she remarked further.
“It is abhorrent anytime anyone targets any faith, religion, or ethnicity-it goes directly against American values and certainly Texan principles.”
