Paxton moves to shut down Beto O’Rourke’s PAC

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has escalated his legal fight against former congressman Beto O’Rourke, asking a state court to shut down O’Rourke’s “Powered by People” political action committee (PAC) amid ongoing litigation over the Democratic quorum break in the Texas House.

The push comes as the fallout continues from the two-week walkout by House Democrats, who fled to Illinois earlier this month in protest of a proposed congressional map. Their absence paralyzed the chamber from August 3 until August 16, when members finally returned and allowed the House to resume business.

Paxton first launched an investigation into O’Rourke and his PAC on July 30, alleging they may have violated state bribery laws by financially supporting the Democrats’ departure. Two days later, he filed suit in Tarrant County, securing a temporary restraining order (TRO) that barred O’Rourke from raising funds for Democratic lawmakers during the standoff.

The case has since spiraled into a bitter legal tug-of-war. O’Rourke sought to block Paxton’s case in an El Paso court, but a judge denied his request on August 13. Days later, O’Rourke told supporters at a rally, “f— the rules,” in reference to Paxton’s legal maneuvers — a remark that triggered Paxton to file a motion of contempt.

On Friday, Paxton amended his petition to go a step further, asking the court to revoke Powered by People’s charter, which would effectively prohibit the PAC from operating in Texas.

“Robert [O’Rourke] and his unlawful influence scheme, Powered by People, have deceived donors, bought off Texas politicians, and unlawfully assisted runaway Democrats in avoiding arrest,” Paxton said in a press release. “I have asked the court to enforce its previous TRO, throw Beto behind bars, and revoke Powered by People’s charter for its unlawful conduct.”

O’Rourke, meanwhile, has leaned into the clash with Paxton, touting the money his organization raised during the special session. On social media, he announced that Powered by People had contributed more than $1 million to Democratic groups, including the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, the Texas House Democratic Caucus, and the Mexican American Legislative Caucus.

The legal dispute underscores the sharp political divide in Texas over the quorum break, which Republicans blasted as an abdication of duty and Democrats defended as a last-ditch effort to protect voting rights and minority representation.

Governor Greg Abbott wasted no time calling lawmakers back for a second special session with an agenda nearly identical to the first. With Democrats now back on the floor, the Legislature is pressing ahead — but the courtroom drama between Paxton and O’Rourke continues to cast a shadow over the political landscape.

The court has yet to rule on Paxton’s expanded request to shutter Powered by People, leaving the future of O’Rourke’s PAC — and the broader implications of the quorum break — unresolved.