Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has started an investigation into a group led by Democrat Beto O’Rourke. This group, called Powered by People, is financially supporting a group of Texas Democrats who left the state to avoid a vote on new congressional maps.
Paxton announced the investigation on Wednesday, claiming that O’Rourke’s organization may have broken laws related to bribery, campaign finance, and abuse of office. The investigation comes as nearly 50 Texas Democrats are facing fines of $500 per day after fleeing to Illinois. Their departure is part of a strategy to block redistricting efforts by the Republican majority in Texas.
In a statement, Paxton expressed his determination to hold accountable any Democrats who may have accepted what he referred to as "Beto Bribes." He criticized the fleeing lawmakers for abandoning their responsibilities and emphasized that Texans deserve transparency regarding the situation.
O’Rourke, who has previously run for president and other offices without success, responded sharply to Paxton’s investigation. He pointed out that Paxton himself was impeached on bribery charges in 2023, although he was later acquitted. O’Rourke accused Paxton of hypocrisy for targeting those trying to protect congressional seats.
Powered by People focuses on mobilizing volunteers to help Democratic candidates in competitive districts across Texas. The group aims to create lasting changes in the state’s political landscape, emphasizing grassroots support rather than relying on wealthy donors.
Meanwhile, the Texas House Speaker, Dustin Burrows, has set a deadline for the absent Democrats to return to the legislature. However, the lawmakers in Illinois are actively seeking donations to sustain their efforts, stating that they have received significant support from small-dollar donations across the state and beyond.
Democratic leaders are framing their actions as a fight for the people, contrasting their grassroots funding with what they perceive as the influence of wealthy donors in politics. They argue that their campaign is about representing the interests of everyday Texans.
In addition to the investigation, Paxton has indicated that he might seek legal action to remove the absent Democrats from their positions. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has also expressed a desire to take action against the lawmakers for not attending the redistricting vote. Senator John Cornyn has even reached out to the FBI for assistance in returning the Democrats to Texas.
This ongoing situation highlights the deep political divisions in Texas and the lengths to which both parties are willing to go in order to secure their interests in a contentious political environment.
