Julia Salazar: Controversies and Criticism
Julia Salazar has faced public scrutiny on several occasions during her political career, most prominently regarding disputed elements of her personal biography during her initial 2018 campaign, as well as criticism from political opponents regarding her policy positions and activist affiliations.
The most significant controversy emerged in August 2018, weeks before her Democratic primary, when Tablet Magazine published an investigative article questioning several elements of Salazar's personal biography . The article raised questions about her claims regarding her Jewish identity, her immigrant background, and her academic credentials, generating significant media attention and political debate.
On the question of immigrant identity, Salazar's campaign website had characterized her as an immigrant, and some media profiles identified her as having emigrated from Colombia . In fact, Salazar was born in Miami, Florida, and her father was the Colombian immigrant in the family, while her mother was a U.S. citizen by birth 3. Salazar attributed the error on her website to miscommunication among campaign staffers who handled media background inquiries without her direct involvement . The Intercept, which had initially described her as a Colombian immigrant based on her own statements, published a correction . Salazar maintained that she had correctly identified her birthplace in an on-the-record interview as early as May 2018 .
The question of Salazar's Jewish identity drew particular scrutiny. Her brother, Alex Salazar, told Tablet Magazine that no one in their immediate family was Jewish and that their father had not identified as Jewish . Salazar responded that her father had Sephardic Jewish heritage and that she had begun exploring her Jewish roots in college following her father's death . She had previously been involved in conservative Christian and pro-Israel student groups during her early years at Columbia, including Christians United for Israel, and had served as president of Columbia Right to Life . By approximately 2013, she had shifted her identification toward Judaism and progressive politics . Her previous affiliation with JFREJ and participation in Jewish communal life were cited by supporters as evidence of an authentic relationship to the Jewish community .
Citizens Union initially endorsed Salazar but revoked its endorsement in September 2018, citing what it described as inaccurate information from the candidate regarding her academic credentials . The specific discrepancy related to the characterization of her educational background at Columbia University .
The DSA and Ocasio-Cortez stood by Salazar throughout the controversy. The DSA characterized the scrutiny as racially motivated attacks on her identity, and multiple journalists and supporters pointed to her early on-the-record statements about her Miami birthplace as evidence against claims of fabrication . Salazar won the Democratic primary on September 13, 2018, defeating Dilan by 59 to 41 percent, suggesting that the biographical controversies did not substantially erode voter support .
In September 2018, Salazar publicly stated that David Keyes, then a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, had sexually assaulted her, saying she was preempting a story about to be published 3. Keyes denied the allegation. Eleven additional women subsequently made similar claims of harassment or assault against Keyes, and he resigned from his position in December 2018 3.
Salazar's support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement regarding Israel has been a recurring source of criticism from pro-Israel organizations and commentators . She has been arrested multiple times at protests calling for a ceasefire during the Israel-Hamas conflict that began in October 2023 8. Pro-Israel monitoring organizations have catalogued her participation in these protests and her BDS advocacy as part of broader criticism of DSA-affiliated elected officials 8.
On criminal justice, Salazar has faced pushback from corrections officers' unions over the HALT Solitary Confinement Act. The unions have argued that the restrictions on solitary confinement have made prisons less safe and contributed to dangerous working conditions, a claim that contributed to an unauthorized corrections officer strike in February 2025 . Salazar has disputed these characterizations, arguing that solitary confinement worsens behavioral challenges and that the law's implementation has been undermined by noncompliance from the Department of Corrections rather than by any flaw in the legislation itself .
The real estate industry has been a consistent critic of Salazar's housing agenda, particularly the Good Cause Eviction law. Industry groups and some housing economists have raised concerns that the law could discourage investment in rental housing, burden housing courts, and lead to intensive tenant screening by small landlords . Salazar has dismissed these concerns as reflecting the interests of property owners who wish to evade oversight .
Overview
Julia Salazar has faced public scrutiny on several occasions during her political career, most prominently regarding disputed elements of her personal biography during her initial 2018 campaign, as well as criticism from political opponents regarding her policy positions and activist affiliations.
The most significant controversy emerged in August 2018, weeks before her Democratic primary, when Tablet Magazine published an investigative article questioning several elements of Salazar's personal biography . The article raised questions about her claims regarding her Jewish identity, her immigrant background, and her academic credentials, generating significant media attention and political debate.
On the question of immigrant identity, Salazar's campaign website had characterized her as an immigrant, and some media profiles identified her as having emigrated from Colombia . In fact, Salazar was born in Miami, Florida, and her father was the Colombian immigrant in the family, while her mother was a U.S. citizen by birth 3. Salazar attributed the error on her website to miscommunication among campaign staffers who handled media background inquiries without her direct involvement . The Intercept, which had initially described her as a Colombian immigrant based on her own statements, published a correction . Salazar maintained that she had correctly identified her birthplace in an on-the-record interview as early as May 2018 .
The question of Salazar's Jewish identity drew particular scrutiny. Her brother, Alex Salazar, told Tablet Magazine that no one in their immediate family was Jewish and that their father had not identified as Jewish . Salazar responded that her father had Sephardic Jewish heritage and that she had begun exploring her Jewish roots in college following her father's death . She had previously been involved in conservative Christian and pro-Israel student groups during her early years at Columbia, including Christians United for Israel, and had served as president of Columbia Right to Life . By approximately 2013, she had shifted her identification toward Judaism and progressive politics . Her previous affiliation with JFREJ and participation in Jewish communal life were cited by supporters as evidence of an authentic relationship to the Jewish community .
Citizens Union initially endorsed Salazar but revoked its endorsement in September 2018, citing what it described as inaccurate information from the candidate regarding her academic credentials . The specific discrepancy related to the characterization of her educational background at Columbia University .
The DSA and Ocasio-Cortez stood by Salazar throughout the controversy. The DSA characterized the scrutiny as racially motivated attacks on her identity, and multiple journalists and supporters pointed to her early on-the-record statements about her Miami birthplace as evidence against claims of fabrication . Salazar won the Democratic primary on September 13, 2018, defeating Dilan by 59 to 41 percent, suggesting that the biographical controversies did not substantially erode voter support .
In September 2018, Salazar publicly stated that David Keyes, then a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, had sexually assaulted her, saying she was preempting a story about to be published 3. Keyes denied the allegation. Eleven additional women subsequently made similar claims of harassment or assault against Keyes, and he resigned from his position in December 2018 3.
Salazar's support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement regarding Israel has been a recurring source of criticism from pro-Israel organizations and commentators . She has been arrested multiple times at protests calling for a ceasefire during the Israel-Hamas conflict that began in October 2023 8. Pro-Israel monitoring organizations have catalogued her participation in these protests and her BDS advocacy as part of broader criticism of DSA-affiliated elected officials 8.
On criminal justice, Salazar has faced pushback from corrections officers' unions over the HALT Solitary Confinement Act. The unions have argued that the restrictions on solitary confinement have made prisons less safe and contributed to dangerous working conditions, a claim that contributed to an unauthorized corrections officer strike in February 2025 . Salazar has disputed these characterizations, arguing that solitary confinement worsens behavioral challenges and that the law's implementation has been undermined by noncompliance from the Department of Corrections rather than by any flaw in the legislation itself .
The real estate industry has been a consistent critic of Salazar's housing agenda, particularly the Good Cause Eviction law. Industry groups and some housing economists have raised concerns that the law could discourage investment in rental housing, burden housing courts, and lead to intensive tenant screening by small landlords . Salazar has dismissed these concerns as reflecting the interests of property owners who wish to evade oversight .