NEWYou now have the option to listen to news articles!
A Texas judge ruled on Friday against Beto O’Rourke and his nonprofit in a case brought by state Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton accused them of illegally raising funds to support Democratic lawmakers who left the state to block GOP redistricting legislation.
Tarrant County District Judge Megan Fahey issued a temporary restraining order on Friday evening against O’Rourke and his group, Powered by People, over alleged “unlawful fundraising practices” related to efforts to assist Texas Democrats who fled the state – including funding air travel, lodging, logistics, and daily fines.
“Defendants have and will continue to engage in unlawful fundraising practices and utilization of political funds in a way that either directly violates or causes Texas Democratic Legislators to violate [the law],” Fahey wrote in her ruling. “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 O’Rourke or his group from continuing to raise funds or provide financial support to the fleeing Texas Democrats. The ruling came shortly after Paxton’s office filed a petition for a temporary restraining order against O’Rourke.
Fahey, a Republican, was appointed by GOP Texas Governor Gregg Abbott in 2019.
In response to the ruling, O’Rourke released a statement arguing that Paxton is attempting to shut down his nonprofit “because our volunteers fight for voting rights and free elections.” O’Rourke called this work “the kind that threatens the hold that Paxton, Trump, and Abbott have on power in Texas.”
“They want to make examples out of those who fight so that others won’t,” O’Rourke added. “Now Paxton’s filed a restraining order to try to take us out of the fight. He wants to silence me and stop me from leading this organization. He wants to stop us from fighting Trump’s attempt to steal the five congressional seats he needs to hang on to power. But I’m not going anywhere. I plan on speaking at our rally to stop the power grab in Fort Worth tomorrow afternoon.”
“Cry more, lib,” Paxton responded to O’Rourke’s statement. “You lost in court because you’re breaking the law and deceiving Texans. We absolutely will make an example out of law breakers.”
Additionally, Paxton initiated an investigation into the Texas Majority PAC, which has also been accused of being a major funder of the fleeing Texas Democrats.
Meanwhile, O’Rourke filed his own lawsuit against Paxton in El Paso district court on Friday. O’Rourke has accused Paxton of launching a “fishing expedition” and requested a judge to block Paxton’s investigation into his nonprofit’s practices.
