Fundraising campaign launched by Beto O'Rourke for Texas Democrats, as he forecasts that the 2026 midterm elections will unfold this coming summer
In a dramatic move to prevent Republican-led redistricting in Texas, over 50 Democratic members of the state legislature left the state on Sunday, denying the legislature a quorum. Among those supporting the fundraising effort to cover expenses such as food, flights, and legal defense for the legislators is Beto O'Rourke, a Texas Democrat, and US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.
Initially, O'Rourke's political group, Powered by People, funded much of the expenses for the absent legislators, covering costs such as air transport, lodging, and logistical support from a war chest reported to be $3.5 million. However, a Tarrant County judge issued a temporary injunction on August 9, 2025, blocking O'Rourke and Powered by People from financially supporting these Democrats or fundraising for their expenses.
The injunction followed a lawsuit by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who accused O'Rourke's group of deceptive fundraising practices. Paxton alleged that the money raised under the guise of political fundraising was being used to pay for personal expenses of the legislators, including travel and luxury accommodations. The judge agreed with Paxton's arguments, and the restraining order will last for two weeks, with a hearing scheduled for August 19, 2025, to potentially extend it.
Despite this legal setback, O'Rourke stated his intention to continue fighting and plans to hold a rally in Fort Worth to support the lawmakers. Meanwhile, Paxton has also taken separate legal action seeking to declare the seats of the absentee Democrats vacant for abandoning the state.
O'Rourke and other Democrats argue that the fight over Texas redistricting is potentially leading to authoritarian power consolidation. They warn that failure to prevent Texas Republicans from passing a new US House map could result in increased masked federal agents without badges or warrants. If successful, a Republican-majority Congress with five stolen seats could pave the way for a Trump third term.
In response, Republican leaders have asked the Texas Department of Public Safety to arrest the absent legislators for leaving the state. Governors Gavin Newsom of California, JB Pritzker of Illinois, and Kathy Hochul of New York are among those proposing redistricting changes. O'Rourke has expressed support for Democrats pursuing redistricting in blue states to neutralize the Texas GOP effort.
The election of 2026 could be decided in the summer of 2025, according to Beto O'Rourke. As the legal battle continues, the stakes are high, and the future of Texas politics hangs in the balance.
References:
- Powered by People
- Texas Tribune
- Dallas Morning News
- Austin American-Statesman
- Houston Chronicle
In light of the legal order barring Beto O'Rourke and Powered by People from financially supporting the absentTexas legislators, O'Rourke has vowed to continue rallying support for them in the face of the ongoing political and legal struggles related to redistricting and policy-and-legislation. As the general-news outlets continue to cover the war-and-conflicts within Texas politics, the stakes remain high, and the future of the state's politics is hanging precariously in the balance.
