Texas AG Investigates O’Rourke Group Funding Democrats Fleeing State

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a criminal investigation into Powered by People, a political group led by former Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke, over allegations that it illegally funded Texas House Democrats who fled the state to block a Republican-backed redistricting plan. Paxton's probe focuses on potential violations of bribery and other state laws, accusing the group of financing expenses such as airfare, lodging, and food for the lawmakers to disrupt the legislative quorum needed for passing the redistricting legislation. Paxton warned that any Democrat who accepted such funding would be held accountable and is seeking legal measures to declare the absent Democrats' seats vacant. O’Rourke defended the funding as necessary to prevent what he described as the "theft of five Congressional seats" and a consolidation of authoritarian power, while also criticizing Paxton's investigation by referencing his own past bribery scandal. The standoff reflects ongoing partisan battles in Texas over congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with GOP Governor Greg Abbott also authorizing efforts to compel the Democrats' return to the legislature. This investigation follows similar tactics used by Texas Democrats in 2021, which were also supported by Powered by People.