Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking a judge to jail Beto O'Rourke, claiming the former Democratic congressman violated a court order by fundraising to support the dozens of state Democratic lawmakers who have fled the state amid its redistricting battle.
The attorney general’s request builds on a previous order, granted by a Texas county judge earlier this month, barring O’Rourke and his nonprofit, Powered by People, from raising money to help fund the Democratic lawmakers’ exodus from the state more than a week ago. Paxton claimed in his filing to the Tarrant County court on Aug. 12 that O’Rourke violated the fundraising block by soliciting donations through the Democrats’ ActBlue platform.
"He’s about to find out that running your mouth and ignoring the rule of law has consequences in Texas," Paxton said in a statement released alongside the filing. "It’s time to lock him up."
Paxton’s move is the latest in growing escalations between Democrats and Republicans in the Lone Star state, as the standoff over GOP attempts to redraw congressional boundaries in Texas. The redistricting attempt could add another five Republican seats to Congress ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, and is seen as blatant gerrymandering efforts by Democrats.
