Johnny Garcia, a public information officer for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, has won the Democratic primary runoff in Texas’s newly redrawn 35th Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ. His victory comes after a contentious race in which his opponent, Maureen Galindo, faced widespread condemnation for antisemitic remarks.
Galindo, a sex therapist and housing activist, sparked outrage with an Instagram post vowing to turn an ICE processing center in Karnes County “into a prison for American Zionists and former ICE officers for human trafficking.” The post drew swift rebukes from Democratic leaders, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who called it “bigoted garbage” and endorsed Garcia.
National Democrats rallied behind Garcia, viewing him as a more electable standard-bearer in a district reshaped by redistricting and now leaning Republican. The GOP primary for the seat is also heading to a runoff, underscoring the competitive nature of the race.
Galindo initially led the March primary but saw her support erode after her comments became public. She defended herself to The New York Times, claiming “everything is based off a local journalist twisting words” and insisting she has “always called for all detention centers to be closed.”
However, the damage was done. Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico refused to campaign alongside her, and two Jewish House members—Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.)—threatened to force an expulsion vote if she were elected. Rep. Christian Menefee (D-Texas) declared on X that “Maureen Galindo has no place in our party and no place in Congress.”
The race also highlighted internal party divisions. While Garcia enjoyed support from the establishment, Galindo’s rhetoric alienated key constituencies. The Texas House runoffs saw similar dynamics in other contests, with the Galindo controversy dominating Tuesday’s ballot.
Incumbent Rep. Greg Casar, who currently represents the 35th District, is running for reelection in the newly drawn Austin-area 37th District, leaving this seat open. The district’s shift toward Republicans makes Garcia an underdog in the general election, but his primary win resets the race.
The runoff was part of a broader set of Texas runoffs that tested party loyalties and candidate viability. Garcia’s victory cements his status as the preferred candidate of national Democrats, who are now focused on holding the line in a challenging political landscape.
