Connecticut state representative Anabel Figueroa. Photo: Screenshot

Connecticut State Rep. Anabel Figueroa lost overwhelmingly in her Democratic primary this week after attacking her opponent for being Jewish.

Figueroa, who was the incumbent in the race and represents parts of the city of Stamford, lost 62.6 percent to 37.4 percent on Tuesday to her Democratic primary challenger Jonathan Jacobson, who is Jewish.

Jacobson’s ethnic background became an issue in the race after Figueroa attacked him for being Jewish.

“The Hispanic vote is going to determine on Aug. 13 who will win to represent or who will continue to represent you,” Figueroa said in a Spanish-language interview filmed on July 28. “We cannot permit a person who is of Jewish origin, of Jewish origin, to represent our community. It’s impossible.”

The comments were met with widespread backlash.

The Stamford Democratic City Committee (DCC) called on Figueroa to resign.

“The use of this blatant antisemitic and anti-democratic language is abhorrent, unacceptable, and contrary to our shared values as Democrats,” it wrote in a statement. “The sentiments expressed by Representative Figueroa in that video contradict the statement she issued yesterday in response to the antisemitic Facebook post shared by a DCC member, who is also one of her supporters.”

One of Figueroa’s supporters, who is also a member of the Stamford DCC, had reportedly made antisemitic remarks about Jacobson as well.

The statement concluded, “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.”

The Connecticut branch of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) wrote on X/Twitter: “Rep Figueroa’s statement was outrageous and her apology equivocal. To accuse Jewish politicians of being unable to represent all constituents is unacceptable.”

In response to the condemnations, Figueroa issued an apology.

“I am deeply sorry to those in the Stamford and Jewish communities that I have offended,” she said. “I have multiple Jewish people working on my campaign, and antisemitism has no place in Stamford — again, I apologize.”

She then explained the original sentiment behind her comments.

“My message is that we need leaders who represent our districts. There is almost no Latino representation in Hartford, and I am currently the only Latina State Representative in Southern Connecticut,” Figueroa said. “There is a strong Latino community in the 148th district, and I will ensure their voice is at the table and never leaves it. This has nothing to do with religion, and as a bilingual speaker, I misspoke when describing my opponent’s background. I am deeply and sincerely sorry.”

Jacobson said the real reason he won the election was not due to her comments, but rather to policy differences.

“Ultimately, her hate, that’s not what lost her the election; her hate is not what won me the election,” he said, according to the New York Times.