Texas Judge Blocks Beto O’Rourke and Nonprofit in Controversial Fundraising Case

A Texas judge issued a temporary restraining order on Friday against former Congressman and Democratic presidential hopeful Beto O’Rourke and his nonprofit organization, Powered by People, in a high-profile legal dispute initiated by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The ruling centers on allegations that O’Rourke’s group engaged in illegal fundraising efforts aimed at supporting Texas Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to obstruct GOP-backed redistricting legislation.

Tarrant County District Judge Megan Fahey, a Republican appointee of Governor Greg Abbott, ruled that O’Rourke and his nonprofit were involved in “unlawful fundraising practices” by providing financial assistance that included covering air travel, lodging, logistical support, and daily fines incurred by the fleeing Democratic legislators. Fahey’s order prohibits O’Rourke and Powered by People from continuing to raise money or funnel funds to these lawmakers while the case proceeds.

In her written decision, Judge Fahey noted, “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].” She added that consumers—meaning donors—were suffering “irreparable harm” because their contributions were being used to pay for personal expenses that violate state statutes governing political fundraising.

The legal action stems from ongoing political tensions in Texas, where Democratic lawmakers made national headlines by leaving the state to prevent Republicans from passing a controversial redistricting plan they argued would diminish minority representation. The dramatic exodus included organizing flights and accommodations for legislators during their time out of state, efforts supported financially by outside groups like Powered by People.

Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has been a vocal critic of O’Rourke and other Democrats involved in the walkout, swiftly filed for the restraining order earlier that same day. Paxton’s office accused the group of using donor funds in a way that violates Texas campaign finance laws and sought judicial intervention to halt these activities.

O’Rourke responded to the ruling with strong accusations against Paxton, framing the legal challenge as a politically motivated attempt to silence opposition. In a public statement, O’Rourke said Paxton’s efforts were aimed at shutting down the nonprofit because its volunteers “fight for voting rights and free elections,” causes he suggested threaten the power held by Paxton, former President Donald Trump, and Governor Abbott.

“They want to make examples out of those who fight so that others won’t,” O’Rourke said. “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.”

O’Rourke declared his intent to continue his activism, announcing plans to speak at a rally in Fort Worth aimed at opposing what he described as a political power grab.

Paxton, in turn, dismissed O’Rourke’s remarks with a dismissive retort on the social media platform X, saying, “Cry more, lib. You lost in court because you’re breaking the law and deceiving Texans. We absolutely will make an example out of law breakers.”

In addition to the case against Powered by People, Paxton’s office has also launched an investigation into another group, the Texas Majority PAC, which has similarly been accused of providing financial backing to the Democrats who fled the state.

Adding another twist to the escalating legal battle, O’Rourke filed his own lawsuit on Friday against Paxton in El Paso district court. He characterized Paxton’s investigation as a “fishing expedition” and asked the court to block the Attorney General’s probe into his nonprofit’s fundraising activities.

The Texas Tribune reported that O’Rourke’s countersuit sought to protect his organization from what he calls an attempt to intimidate and obstruct its political work.

Meanwhile, Paxton celebrated the temporary restraining order on social media, writing, “BREAKING: I just defeated Beto O’Rourke in court. We secured a major victory stopping runaway Democrats from taking ‘Beto Bribes’ and preventing deceptive fundraising. They told me to ‘come and take it,’ so I did.”

The dispute highlights the ongoing political strife in Texas, a state marked by fierce partisan battles over voting rights, redistricting, and election-related fundraising. It also underscores the deep divisions within the state as Democrats seek to challenge Republican efforts to reshape electoral districts amid shifting demographics and political power.

As the legal fight continues, both sides are mobilizing their supporters and framing the dispute as part of a larger struggle over democracy and political control in Texas. The court’s temporary order marks just one step in what promises to be a protracted conflict over the limits of political fundraising and the tactics used to influence state governance.