In this episode of Left Out Loud, Ally and Seth sit down with Maureen Galindo, a grassroots candidate running for Congress in Texas’ 35th District. Maureen shares how her working-class Philly roots, union family history, anti-ICE activism, and years of local organizing have shaped her politics and pushed her toward a run built on authenticity rather than polish.

Links and Resources

• Website: MaureenForUSCongress.com

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• (00:11) - Meet Maureen Galindo
• (00:50) - Running in Texas 35
• (01:42) - Her Philly labor roots
• (03:17) - Why she got political
• (04:10) - From anti-ICE activism to Congress
• (05:25) - Can progressives win in Texas?
• (06:05) - The runoff surprise
• (06:50) - Signs Texas is shifting
• (08:20) - Why authenticity is landing
• (10:01) - Not your polished candidate
• (12:16) - Immigration, fear, and reality
• (13:56) - What voters are really feeling
• (15:15) - A single mom in a rigged system
• (15:37) - Start with Citizens United
• (16:33) - Can Texas break the money grip?
• (17:27) - Trump, the economy, and backlash
• (18:00) - Abbott, water, and data centers
• (18:35) - War spending vs. real needs
• (19:31) - Defense budget madness
• (21:03) - Bring the money home
• (22:12) - Profits over people
• (22:36) - The Blue Dog problem
• (23:45) - Buying the runoff
• (24:51) - ICE funding betrayal
• (25:28) - Affordability hits home
• (27:07) - Teaching people how to fight back
• (28:21) - Scaring billionaires out of politics
• (28:48) - The Spurs stadium fight
• (29:22) - The PAC money question
• (29:42) - No corporate money
• (30:24) - How she won with less
• (30:40) - Her secret: be real
• (31:33) - Why voters responded
• (33:03) - What the campaign needs now
• (33:23) - Where to find Maureen
• (34:02) - Volunteers are there, money is tight
• (35:01) - Her website and platform
• (35:22) - Why she loves democracy
• (35:52) - Why forums matter
• (36:37) - Seth’s final thoughts
• (37:37) - Why this race feels different
• (39:14) - Ally’s closing thoughts
• (40:17) - Share this episode