Fort Worth, Texas – A state judge has issued a temporary restraining order against former Congressman Beto O’Rourkeand his nonprofit, Powered by People, over allegations that the group illegally raised money to support Democratic lawmakers who left Texas to block redistricting legislation.
Tarrant County District Judge Megan Fahey granted the order Friday evening, following a petition from Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office. The ruling temporarily halts the nonprofit from raising or distributing funds to assist lawmakers in covering travel, lodging, or other expenses while away from the state.
In her written decision, Judge Fahey said the nonprofit’s fundraising and spending practices amounted to “unlawful fundraising” under Texas law, arguing that political donations were being used in ways that could violate state rules.
The judge wrote that these actions “cause Texas Democratic legislators to violate [the law]” and that contributors were “suffering irreparable harm” by funding activities that potentially breached campaign finance regulations.
Fahey, appointed to the bench in 2019 by Governor Greg Abbott, barred the nonprofit from continuing any financial support to the absent lawmakers until further legal review.
O’Rourke responded to the ruling by accusing Paxton of attempting to shut down his organization because of its advocacy for voting rights. He said his group’s mission “threatens the political hold” of state Republican leadership and vowed to continue his work, including speaking at a planned rally in Fort Worth.
Paxton, in a public statement after the decision, said the court had ruled correctly and signaled that his office intends to pursue the matter further.
The case adds another layer of legal tension to an already high-profile political standoff over the fate of redistricting legislation and the actions of Texas lawmakers who left the state to prevent a legislative quorum.