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The Texas House currently has 88 Republicans and 62 Democrats, meaning the absence of even a few members can stall the legislative process. This time, Democrats went all in, leaving en masse to block the GOP’s map redistricting plans.
Paxton, furious at what he sees as a blatant attempt to subvert the democratic process, vowed “aggressive” legal action against the absent lawmakers and those financing their getaway.
Funding the Flight
According to Paxton’s office, O’Rourke’s Powered by People has been a major source of financial aid for these “runaway” Democrats. The group, which brands itself as a voter registration and mobilization operation, reportedly helped cover hotel stays, air travel, transportation, and even fines incurred by lawmakers for skipping out on their legislative duties.
ABC News reported that “Powered by People, a voter registration and mobilization group, has been donating to the Texas House Democratic Caucus — not members directly, or for any line-item expense — to help cover upfront costs for the group, such as lodging and transportation,” citing a spokesperson for O’Rourke’s organization.
O’Rourke has also kept in close contact with the absent lawmakers. “We will have the backs of these heroic state lawmakers for as long as it takes to stop Trump’s power grab,” he told ABC News.
The Judge Steps In
Tarrant County District Judge Megan Fahey, appointed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in 2019, delivered a stinging rebuke to O’Rourke and his group. In her ruling, she stated:
“Defendants have and will continue to engage in unlawful fundraising practices and utilization of political funds in a manner that either directly violates or causes Texas Democratic Legislators to violate [the law]. Consumers have and continue to suffer irreparable harm through these unlawful acts because they are making political contributions that are being used to fund personal expenses and violate state law.”
Fahey’s order prohibits Powered by People from continuing any fundraising or financial assistance to the absent Democrats. The decision came just hours after Paxton’s office formally requested the restraining order.
O’Rourke Pushes Back
O’Rourke quickly fired back, accusing Paxton of political retaliation. He claimed the attorney general was trying to dismantle his nonprofit “because our volunteers fight for voting rights and free elections,” adding, “the kind of work that threatens the hold that Paxton, Trump, and Abbott have on power in Texas.”
A Warning Shot for Political Operatives
This ruling is more than just a legal technicality — it’s a warning shot to political operatives across Texas. Paxton’s aggressive approach signals that he’s ready to pursue not just the lawmakers who walked out, but also the deep-pocketed activists and organizations fueling these political stunts.
For now, O’Rourke’s group is effectively sidelined from bankrolling the Democrats’ legislative obstruction. Whether this case ends with fines, further criminal charges, or even dissolution of the nonprofit remains to be seen — but one thing is certain: Texas Republicans aren’t letting this one slide.
