Texas Democrats are trying to prevent Maureen Galindo from winning the Democratic nomination in Tuesday’s runoff for the open seat in the state’s 35th Congressional District, a district Democrats describe as critical for their electoral prospects in the midterm cycle. Galindo will face Johnny Garcia in the runoff, which follows a March primary in which Democrats say Galindo narrowly led Garcia.

Democratic leaders have accused Republicans of helping lift Galindo’s candidacy as party officials and lawmakers have argued over how to address extreme rhetoric within their own ranks. The runoff takes place as concerns about antisemitism across the political spectrum have intensified, and as Democrats weigh how candidates with inflammatory statements should be treated in competitive elections.

Galindo’s campaign has faced particular scrutiny after Democrats pointed to her repeated antisemitic comments, including remarks the Associated Press reported included calls for imprisoning “American Zionists.” Democrats also cited statements that she would transform the Karnes ICE Detention Center into a jail for that purpose, according to language shared on Galindo’s campaign Instagram account.

The Instagram account’s posting, as described by The Associated Press, also included a reference that Democrats and other critics said involved castration processing and pedophiles, with the post adding that the “Zionists” would likely be involved. Democrats have also said Galindo has since tried to reframe the rhetoric, including an email from Galindo that, according to the Associated Press, said her proposal was “NEVER for Jewish Zionists — it’s for BILLIONAIRE Zionists.”

Democrats have disavowed Galindo’s language and urged voters to reject her in the runoff. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair Suzan DelBene said in a statement that House Republican leadership must “immediately cease propping up this antisemitic candidacy,” according to the Associated Press. Other prominent Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also condemned the remarks, with AOC calling them “disgusting” and saying they should not be part of “our politics.”

Democrats’ argument for urgency is also tied to the runoff math from the March 3 primary. The Associated Press reported that Galindo received the most votes, with 29%, while Garcia won 27%, setting up the runoff. The district was redrawn by Texas Republicans, Democrats said, to improve their chances of holding the seat in the midterms.

Garcia, in a video posted on social media, said the comments have no place in the race. He said in that video that the campaign should bring people together rather than spread hate, division or dangerous rhetoric, according to the Associated Press.

Republicans, for their part, did not address Democrats’ claims about support for Galindo’s backing group, Lead Left PAC, the Associated Press reported. The National Republican Congressional Committee criticized Democrats and their fundraising instead, while Lead Left PAC did not respond to requests for comment, according to the Associated Press.

Other Democratic lawmakers also said they would use their influence in Congress to block Galindo if she won. Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Jared Moskowitz said in a statement Wednesday that if Galindo were to win, they would force votes to expel her “every single day we are here,” according to the Associated Press.

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