A Texas judge issued a restraining order Friday blocking former Rep. Beto O’Rourke from using his political group to help state Democratic lawmakers remain on the lam.
Attorney General Ken Paxton won the restraining order against Mr. O’Rourke, a Democrat, and his Powered by People organization.
The judge said Mr. O’Rourke is engaged in “unlawful” campaign activity by raising political money but then spending it on “non-political purposes” — namely paying for lawmakers’ travel, hotels and fines for defying the state while they remain out of Texas.
Dozens of Democrats have “broken quorum,” fleeing in order to block the legislature from being able to conduct business.
They object to Gov. Greg Abbott’s special session that includes attempting to redraw the state’s congressional districts to net five more seats for Republicans.
The lawmakers are incurring $500-a-day fines for being absent, in addition to needing to cover their travel bills.