Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated an inquiry into Powered by People, a political organization spearheaded by Beto O’Rourke, the former presidential candidate. The investigation focuses on allegations that the group facilitated financial support for Texas Democrats during their recent departure from the state, a move aimed to thwart the passing of contentious new congressional maps.

In a statement released Wednesday, Paxton accused Powered by People of potentially breaking bribery, campaign finance, and abuse of office laws. He referenced "public reports" indicating that the organization was "bankrolling" the travel expenses of Texas House Democrats. These allegations surfaced after initial reports by The Texas Tribune, although these claims have not been independently verified by POLITICO.

Paxton's actions align with his broader political campaign, as he is currently challenging Senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary. He has expressed a strong commitment to expel Democratic state lawmakers who left Texas over the weekend, an effort that has escalated tensions within the state's political landscape. This strategic exit by the Democrats was intended to prevent the legislature from reaching a quorum, thereby delaying a vote on a redistricting plan perceived to favor Republicans, potentially increasing their House seats in the upcoming midterms.

Governor Greg Abbott, supporting Paxton's stance, has also taken steps to bring the Democrats back, including filing an emergency petition against Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu. Despite these efforts, both Abbott and Paxton face significant legal and procedural obstacles as they navigate the complexities of forcing a return to the state for a special session initiated last month by Abbott.

In his press release, Paxton stated, “Texas cannot be bought. I look forward to thoroughly reviewing all of the documents and communications obtained throughout this investigation.” He further criticized the Democrats for losing “public trust by abandoning our state,” and raised concerns about possible illegal activities associated with their departure.

Additionally, Paxton has issued a “Request to Examine” to Powered by People, demanding the turnover of documents and communications that could shed light on the group’s alleged role in the legislative walkout. As the investigation unfolds, the political tension in Texas continues to mount, with significant implications for both state and national politics. Meanwhile, Powered by People has yet to respond to these allegations.