Texas AG Sues Beto O'Rourke Over Fundraising and Walkout
#texas #attorney_general #fundraising #voting_rights #political_agenda
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Introduction
In a bold and controversial move, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against former Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke and his political group, Powered by People. The lawsuit claims that O'Rourke and his group have been deceptively fundraising for and illegally supporting Texas Democrats' walkout over a voting rights bill.
Key Details
This legal battle comes on the heels of a tense standoff between Texas Democrats and Republicans over a controversial election bill. The Democrats, led by O'Rourke, staged a dramatic walkout in protest of the bill, which they believe would restrict voting access and disproportionately impact minority communities. Paxton's lawsuit alleges that O'Rourke and his group have been using this walkout as a means to raise money for their own political agenda.
According to Paxton, O'Rourke's fundraising efforts have been misleading and potentially illegal. He claims that Powered by People has been soliciting donations under the guise of supporting Texas Democrats' walkout, but the money is actually being used for their own political activities. This, Paxton argues, is a violation of state law.
Impact
The outcome of this lawsuit could have major implications for both O'Rourke and the ongoing debate over voting rights in Texas. If the court rules in Paxton's favor, O'Rourke could face jail time and Powered by People
About the Organizations Mentioned
Powered by People
Powered by People is a Texas-based left-of-center political action committee (PAC) founded in December 2019 by Democratic politician and former presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke. Its primary mission is to register, mobilize, and turn out voters in Texas, particularly targeting likely Democratic voters in a state with significant Republican dominance and voter suppression challenges[1][2]. The organization operates through a vast network of volunteers who engage in door-to-door canvassing, phone calls, and text messaging—efforts described as the largest progressive voter mobilization in Texas history[2]. The PAC was originally established to flip the Texas House of Representatives from Republican to Democratic control, target six Congressional seats, and unseat Republican Senator John Cornyn in the 2020 elections. Early on, it organized over 1,100 volunteers who canvassed tens of thousands of homes, and it also gained recognition for contributing more than 14,000 volunteer hours at food banks during the 2020 pandemic[1]. Powered by People emphasizes long-term electoral changes beyond single campaigns by engaging voters statewide, regardless of neighborhood political leanings, to combat GOP voter suppression tactics[2]. Financially, Powered by People has raised millions of dollars in successive election cycles—approximately $3.95 million in 2019-2020 and over $9.17 million in 2023-2024—mostly from individual donors, reflecting strong grassroots and donor support for its operations[3][5]. The PAC functions as a hybrid PAC/super PAC and is affiliated with Beto O’Rourke's leadership[3][5]. However, the organization has faced legal and political controversies. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has accused Powered by People of illegal fundraising practices and soliciting sensitive personal information during COVID-19 vaccine outreach, leading to litigation aimed at revoking its charter and halting its operations in Texas. Paxton alleges deceptive fundraising linked to efforts by Democratic lawmakers avoiding arrest for quorum-breaking, which Powered by
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