Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has sued former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) and his political group, Powered by People, for unlawful fundraising activity after Democratic state House members 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.
“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.”
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.
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