Texas GOP Candidate Valentina Gomez Faces Nationwide Condemnation After Burning Quran in Campaign Video
Extremist Stunt Targets Muslim Community in Texas
Valentina Gomez, a Republican congressional candidate seeking Texas' 31st District seat in 2026, has sparked widespread outrage after posting a campaign video in which she uses a flamethrower to burn the Quran while declaring her intention to "end Islam" in Texas. The inflammatory video, shared on social media platform X, features Gomez making violent threats against Muslims before destroying the Islamic holy book, according to The Independent.
The controversial act has drawn swift condemnation from civil rights advocates, political commentators, and citizens across the political spectrum, raising serious questions about the boundaries of acceptable political discourse in American democracy.
"Your Daughters Will Be Raped", Inflammatory Campaign Rhetoric
In the video, Gomez delivered a series of threatening statements targeting the Muslim community. "Your daughters will be raped and your sons beheaded, unless we stop Islam once and for all," she declared before igniting the Quran, as reported by The Independent. The candidate continued her tirade by stating, "America is a Christian nation so that those terrorist Muslims can f*** off to any of the 57 Muslim nations. There is only one true God, and that is the God of Israel".
The video concluded with Gomez claiming she is "powered by Jesus Christ," according to The Independent's coverage. This rhetoric targets a community that comprises approximately one percent of Texas's population, highlighting the disproportionate nature of her campaign messaging.
Swift Public Backlash and Expert Analysis
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a prominent organization representing American Muslims, condemned the incident, calling it a threat to societal harmony and emphasizing the importance of protecting religious freedom. CAIR and other civil society organizations have demanded that Valentina Gomez be held accountable for her hate-filled and inciting actions.
The response to Gomez's video was immediate and severe. Podcaster Brian Allen wrote on X, "This isn't politics. It's incitement. When the mosques start burning, remember: this was the match and the Texas GOP handed her the lighter," as quoted by The Independent.
Other social media users expressed similar alarm, with one writing, "She will literally do anything for clout. Anything. Why is this person allowed to incite hate and murder?" Another Texas resident posted, "Get out of my state. We have no place for intolerance and hateful people who don't believe in basic human rights such as THE FIRST AMENDMENT, which allows for freedom of religion".
Pattern of Extremist Behavior and Failed Electoral Attempts
Gomez's latest stunt represents a continuation of increasingly violent political theater. In December 2024, she released a video featuring the mock execution of an immigrant, shooting a dummy tied to a chair with a black bag over its head while declaring, "It's that simple, public executions for any illegal that rapes or kills an American. They don't deserve deportation; they deserve to be ended," The Independent reported.
The irony of Gomez's anti-immigrant stance was not lost on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who responded to her previous video by posting, "She is not just an American fascist. She is Colombian. And being a migrant, what she wants is to unleash hatred against migrants. Americans kill Most Americans". Gomez was born in Colombia before immigrating to the United States.
History of Targeting Marginalized Communities
According to The Independent, Gomez has systematically targeted multiple marginalized groups throughout her political career. She previously told Black Americans to "kindly" leave the United States if they "don't like" the country in a message posted before Juneteenth, which she called the "most ratchet" of holidays.
Extremism Fails to Translate to Success
Despite generating significant online attention through these provocative acts, Gomez's political career has been marked by electoral failures. The Independent notes that she "crashed out of the Republican primary" for Missouri secretary of state, finishing in sixth place. Her campaign tactics appear designed to "gain notoriety to further a flailing attempt at a political career that has so far gone nowhere".
Key Quotes and Public Response
"This isn't politics. It's incitement. When the mosques start burning, remember: this was the match and the Texas GOP handed her the lighter."
—Brian Allen, Podcaster, The Independent
"She is not just an American fascist. She is Colombian. And being a migrant, what she wants is to unleash hatred against migrants."
—Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia, The Independent
Questions About Political Accountability
As Gomez continues her campaign for Texas's 31st District, her latest video raises critical questions about the Republican Party's tolerance for extremist rhetoric and the broader implications for American political discourse. The incident occurs against a backdrop of rising concerns about political violence and hate crimes targeting religious minorities.
The widespread condemnation suggests that while Gomez's tactics generate attention, they may ultimately undermine her electoral prospects and highlight the growing gap between extremist rhetoric and mainstream American values. Political observers will be watching closely to see whether party leadership responds to her inflammatory campaign tactics and whether voters in Texas' 31st District embrace or reject her divisive messaging in the 2026 election cycle.