Stamford, DCC Leadership Condemn 'Antisemitic' Remarks By State Rep.

STAMFORD, CT — Recent comments made by state Rep. Anabel Figueroa (D-148) in a YouTube video for the Latino Foundation of Stamford were condemned as antisemitic by Stamford and Democratic City Committee leadership on Tuesday, which is Primary Day across the state.

Figueroa, who is running against DCC-endorsed candidate and city Rep. Jonathan Jacobson in a primary election, recently sat down for an interview and conversation with Galdino Velasco, host of the "Hispanic International Show" for the foundation. The video was uploaded to YouTube on July 28 and conducted entirely in Spanish.

Toward the very end of the video at the 36-minute mark, Figueroa said, translated to English, "The Hispanic vote is going to determine on Aug. 13 who will win to represent or who will continue to represent you. We cannot permit a person who is of Jewish origin, of Jewish origin, to represent our community. It’s impossible."

Jacobson is a local attorney who has served on the Stamford Board of Reps. in District 12 since 2016.

Figueroa won the 148th House District seat against Republican Olga D. Anastos in a special election in March 2023 following the resignation of Democrat Dan Fox. The 148th district covers the East Side, Glenbrook and the Cove.

Mayor Caroline Simmons issued a statement Tuesday morning.

"I strongly condemn the antisemitic comments made by Representative Figueroa. One of our city’s greatest strengths is our diversity and such divisive language has no place in our political discourse or community. Words matter, and as elected officials, we must uphold a higher standard of integrity that earns the public’s respect and trust, and there must be accountability for this behavior," Simmons said.

"In a time when hate speech and antisemitism are on the rise, including recent antisemitic and white supremacist vandalism at AITE High School, we must unequivocally reject this rhetoric and make it clear that such behavior and language is not tolerated in the City of Stamford."

The Stamford DCC Executive Board called on Figueroa to resign as a member of the committee, saying they were "disappointed" by her remarks.

"The use of this blatant antisemitic and anti-democratic language is abhorrent, unacceptable, and contrary to our shared values as Democrats," DCC leadership said. "This shameful behavior not only demonstrates a lack of integrity and character but makes Anabel Figueroa unfit to serve in office, and we call on her to resign immediately as a member of the Stamford Democratic City Committee."

On Monday, District 4 DCC member Eva Padilla published a post on her Facebook page in support of Figueroa. In the post, Padilla referred to Jacobson as "the Israeli lawyer."

Figueroa issued a statement on Monday denouncing Padilla's post.

"I have known Eva for many years, which makes her comments all the more disturbing and disheartening. At a time when antisemitism is on the rise both nationally and locally, such remarks are unacceptable and have no place in our discourse," Figueroa posted in part on her Facebook page. "Political differences can blur the boundaries of respect and decency, leading many into dangerous territory. This is not a time for hate but for unity. I stand with the Stamford Democratic Party in condemning these antisemitic remarks."

Stamford Republicans also pushed back on Figueroa's comments, Padilla's Facebook post and the vandalism at AITE.

"This blatant antisemitism has no place in our community or politics. The RTC stands firmly against these divisive and hateful remarks. We will always stand with and support our Jewish community in Stamford," the Stamford RTC said on Facebook.

Patch has reached out to Figueroa for comment on her remarks in the YouTube video. Figueroa declined to comment on the video interview to the Stamford Advocate on Tuesday.

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