In a brave move to protect our elections, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched a daring investigation into failed candidate Beto O’Rourke’s nonprofit, Powered by People. According to a release from Paxton’s office, O’Rourke funded the flight of several Texas House Democrats to block Republican led redistricting plans by refusing to vote on the measure.
For context, reacting to the investigation, O’Rourke accused Paxton of hypocrisy and slammed Republicans as “thugs” trying to “steal” congressional seats. In an interview with CNN’s Pamela Brown, he defended the strategy and asserted that they would delay as long as needed to end the redistricting.
In any case, a press release from AG Ken Paxton’s office summarized the investigation. The statement said, “According to public reports, Powered by People has been one of the top groups bankrolling the Texas House Democrat members who abandoned Texans and vacated their offices. By providing these liberal lawmakers with the funds to flee the state, Powered by People may have violated bribery laws.”
Continuing the explanation, the document read, “Powered by People and the runaway Democrats may have also violated other Texas laws, including, but not limited to, those governing campaign or officeholder contributions and expenditures, coercion of a public servant, and abuse of office.”
Not mixing words, Paxton slammed these selfish Democrats. He said, “Any Democrat coward breaking the law by taking a Beto Bribe will be held accountable. Texas cannot be bought.” Continuing his verbal beatdown, he stated, “Democrats have abandoned their offices by fleeing Texas, and a failure to respond to a call of the House constitutes a dereliction of their duty as elected officials.”
Laying down the law in epic style, the AG promised accountability. Paxton stated, “Starting Friday, any rogue lawmakers refusing to return to the House will be held accountable for vacating their office. The people of Texas elected lawmakers, not jet-setting runaways looking for headlines. If you don’t show up to work, you get fired.”
In another official document, the Texas AG explained the consequences. He stated, “If the runaway members of the legislative minority do not return to the House and resume performance of their duties by the deadline, Attorney General Paxton will seek judicial relief confirming that their office is vacant.”
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In a fundraising message, the shameless Beto O’Rourke attempted to use this scandal to raise money for the missing Democrats. One such text read, “The guy impeached for bribery is going after the folks trying to stop the theft of five Congressional seats. I encourage everyone to text FIGHT to 20377. Let’s stop these thugs before they steal our country.”
Similarly, he defended his unacceptable position in an appearance on CNN. Starting the interaction, Pamela Brown began by asking what precedent these actions would set, saying, “Is it worth it?” Responding, O’Rourke stated, “Absolutely. If we fail, the consolidation of authoritarian power in America will be nearly unstoppable.”
Reacting with incredulity, Brown retorted, “We’ve seen it in the past—they flee, but then inevitably they have to come back, right? You can’t just stay out in perpetuity, and the governor can continue to call these special sessions. Do you think the money could be better spent helping those folks you mentioned?” Answering, the Texas Democrat said, “I actually believe that they can stay out long enough to stop this steal in Texas.”