Paxton secures restraining order against Beto O’Rourke’s PAC

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has won a temporary restraining order (TRO) against former Congressman Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke and his political action committee, Powered by People, following allegations the group financed state House Democrats’ recent quorum-breaking trip.

The TRO, issued late Friday by a Tarrant County district court, comes just hours after Paxton filed suit against O’Rourke and his organization. The order blocks Powered by People from spending political funds on out-of-state travel, hotels, meals, or related services for Texas legislators who skip legislative sessions without an excuse. It applies during any special legislative session called by the governor, pending further court proceedings.

Paxton announced the move in a Friday night press release, accusing O’Rourke’s group of bankrolling what he labeled “runaway Democrats” who left Texas to delay a vote on the House Republicans’ proposed redistricting map. The Democrats’ quorum break is now in its fifth day.

“The Beto Bribe buyouts that were bankrolling the runaway Democrats have been officially stopped,” Paxton declared. “People like Robert believe Texas can be bought. Today, I stopped his deceptive financial influence scheme that attempted to deceive donors and subvert our constitutional process. They told me to ‘come and take it,’ so I did.”

The lawsuit alleges that Powered by People misled donors by soliciting contributions through political fundraising channels, while intending to spend the money on what Paxton argues are personal expenses for lawmakers—costs that, under state law, may not be covered with political funds in certain circumstances.

O’Rourke, a former U.S. Senate and gubernatorial candidate, pushed back sharply on social media.

“They want to make examples out of those who fight so that others won't,” he wrote on X. “Paxton is trying to shut down Powered by People, one of the largest voter registration organizations in the country, because our volunteers fight for voting rights and free elections… the kind of work that threatens the hold that Paxton, Trump and Abbott have on power in Texas.”

He added that he is “not going anywhere” and will speak at a Saturday rally in Fort Worth “to stop the power grab.” O’Rourke also announced plans to countersue Paxton in state court.

The legal clash underscores ongoing political tensions in Texas, where quorum-busting tactics by Democrats and aggressive legal countermeasures by Republican leadership have become recurring flashpoints in high-stakes legislative battles. The case now moves to a full hearing, where the court will decide whether to extend or dissolve the TRO.