Johnny Garcia declares victory in TX-35 race against controversy-mired Maureen Galindo

Johnny Garcia declares victory in his Democratic primary runoff against controversy-mired opponent Maureen Galindo. Credit: Stephanie Koithan

Johnny Garcia on Tuesday night declared victory in the Democratic runoff against Maureen Galindo to represent Texas’ redrawn 35th Congressional District.

His opponent spent the runup to the election fending off accusations of antisemitism after she posted a series of online videos spinning conspiracy theories about “zionist Jews” controlling Hollywood and orchestrating human smuggling rings in South Texas.

With only 30% of the precincts reporting at press time, Garcia received 2,357 votes, compared to Galindo’s 1,639.

“Today, our community sent a very clear message of who we are as Democrats,” Garcia said to a packed back room at B&N Sports Bar on San Antonio’s South Side.

Speaking at the election watch party, Garcia said he knows he will have to work to win over Galindo’s supporters, some of whom chose her for her staunch anti-zionist views.

Others vocalized support for Galindo because they felt she would be tougher on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) than Garcia, who’s spent nearly his entire career at the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, climbing the ranks from jail guard to the SWAT team and later serving as communications director.

Also attracting attention was the Democratic Majority for Israel’s six-figure ad buy supporting Garcia’s candidacy.

One particular Galindo donor also raised eyebrows. A newly-formed PAC called Lead Left spent nearly $1 million in support of Galindo’s candidacy. Punchbowl News traced the PAC back to GOP fundraising platform WinRed through its metadata, leading observers to wonder whether Republicans were meddling in the primary runoff to ensure a November victory.

Galindo, a sex therapist and self-described community organizer, also drew condemnation from her own party for peddling conspiracy theories that the world is run by a cabal she referred to as “a synagogue of Satan.”

“That’s why I say tonight with great pride that our community said ‘no’ to racist conspiracy theories,” Garcia said in his victory speech. “We said no to Republican meddling attempts to deceive Democratic voters. We sent that mess into the second row like Wemby blocks shots.”

Despite her activist background, Galindo failed to draw support from key progressive organizations in San Antonio, including San Antonio DSA, who declined to endorse a candidate in the race. Galindo also drew condemnation from leadership in the San Antonio chapter of Jewish Voices for Peace, a Jewish anti-zionist group.

Meanwhile, the newly redrawn TX-35, currently represented by Democratic U.S. Greg Casar, leader of the House Progressive Caucus, became redder in last summer’s redistricting, which could help explain moderate Garcia’s victory over Galindo.

“What this election is about is issues affecting every day Texans at our grocery stores and daycares, at the gas pump down the street and our very own kitchen tables,” Garcia said, arguing that Galindo’s controversies distracted from issues affecting the working class.

Garcia has also advocated for reining in ICE while securing the border and protecting women’s right to choose.

Sign Up for SA Current newsletters.

Related Stories