TA Texas judge granted Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) a temporary restraining order in his suit against former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) and his political group, Powered by People. The ruling came just hours after Paxton sued claiming unlawful fundraising activity to help Democratic state House members who fled the state to stall a GOP redistricting plan.
“Democrat runaways are likely accepting Beto Bribes to underwrite their jet-setting sideshow in far-flung places and misleadingly raising political funds to pay for personal expenses,” Paxton said in a release announcing the suit.
“This out-of-state, cowardly cabal is abandoning their constitutional duties. I will not allow failed political has-beens to buy off Texas elected officials. I’ll see you in court, Beto.”
Judge Megan Fahey wrote in granting the request that “the Court finds that harm is imminent to the State, and if the Court does not issue the Temporary Restraining Order, the State will be irreparably injured.” Fahey said O’Rourke and his group’s fundraising “constitutes false, misleading, or deceptive acts” under state statute.
The order says Powered By People must not fundraise or use funds already raised to cover travel, hotel bills or dining for “unexcused Texas legislators during any special legislative session called by the Texas Governor.” A hearing is scheduled for Aug. 19 on a temporary injunction requested in Paxton’s suit.
The lawsuit comes after Paxton launched an investigation into whether Powered by People was breaking laws by allegedly “bankrolling” out-of-state travel for Democrats who broke quorum.
The Democratic state legislators left Texas in a last-ditch bid to deprive the state House of the numbers it needs to move forward with redistricting, a plan backed by President Trump that could net the GOP five additional congressional seats.
The maneuver is set to be expensive, as the participating Democrats each rack up $500-per-day fines on top of the lodging, food and other costs of living away from their homes in the Lone Star State.
The Texas Tribune reported this week that Powered by People has been one of the top funders covering costs for the quorum breakers, including air travel and logistical support, though it’s not the only group helping out.
Paxton now alleges that O’Rourke and his group “intentionally misled donors” to fund the expenses, “despite advertising it as political fundraising,” according to a release. The attorney general has also requested a temporary restraining order and an injunction preventing them from raising or distributing money “for the purpose of funding the runaway Democrat House members.”
Shortly after Paxton announced his lawsuit, O’Rourke announced he had sued Paxton in state court.
“We just sued Ken Paxton in state court. Taking the fight directly to him,” O’Rourke posted on the social platform X. Exact details on the nature of the lawsuit were not immediately available.
Updated at 7:47 p.m. EDT
