Beto O’Rourke Rallies Nationwide Against Texas GOP Redistricting

Beto O'Rourke is leading a national campaign to support Texas Democrats who fled the state to block a Republican redistricting plan aimed at expanding GOP control in the U.S. House ahead of the 2026 midterms. He has been rallying voters in various states, including Louisiana and Oklahoma, urging opposition to what he describes as authoritarian tactics by the Trump administration and GOP lawmakers, emphasizing the threat to democratic norms and civil rights. O'Rourke's group, Powered By People, is funding lawmakers' costs to prolong their absence and prevent the passage of the new maps, which could eliminate five Democratic seats in Texas. Despite criticism from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and questions from CNN about prioritizing resources, O'Rourke insists the effort is vital to stopping a "power grab" that could lead to a Trump third term and increased political repression. He continues to organize events and fundraising efforts nationwide to galvanize support against the redistricting and broader Republican strategies. The conflict highlights the deepening partisan battle over electoral maps and the fight for political control in key states.