In a dramatic political maneuver reminiscent of a high-stakes game of chess, Texas Democrats recently boarded a private jet to Illinois in a bold attempt to thwart the state legislature’s redistricting plans. The question on everyone’s mind: who footed the bill? Enter Beto O’Rourke’s PAC, which apparently decided that luxury air travel was a necessary expense in the fight against Republican policies.
Given O’Rourke’s storied political career—having run for nearly every office in Texas with a notable lack of success—it’s hardly surprising that he would seize the opportunity to champion this cause for the Democrats. The irony is thick, as his financial backing could be seen as a desperate attempt to bolster a party struggling to connect with the Texan electorate.
As reported by the Washington Free Beacon, this private jet escapade wasn’t merely a spontaneous trip; it was a calculated move financed by O’Rourke’s PAC, aptly named Powered by People, which boasts a formidable $3.5 million in resources. This funding covers not just air travel, but also lodging and logistical support for the Democratic exodus.
The Inside Scoop: Beto O’Rourke’s PAC as the Financial Backbone of the Texas Democrats’ Walkout
Texas lawmakers earn a meager $7,200 annually, yet these Democratic legislators expended approximately four times that amount for their airborne retreat. Thanks to O’Rourke’s PAC, their financial worries were alleviated, allowing them to focus on obstructing the Republican agenda instead.
However, this new role as the financier of the walkout could lead O’Rourke into murky legal waters. Texas lawmakers who abandon their posts to prevent the legislature from functioning face daily fines of $500, and soliciting political contributions while engaged in such a walkout is strictly prohibited. Governor Greg Abbott has ominously suggested that anyone providing financial support to the fleeing lawmakers may find themselves in violation of state bribery laws.
Is anyone genuinely shocked by this turn of events?
NEW: @BetoORourke-backed organization, Powered by People, is a top funder of the Texas Democrats’ exodus over new congressional maps, per two people familiar.
Congressional Dems and the Soros-backed Texas Majority PAC are also in the mix. @TexasTribunehttps://t.co/Nh07hZPa3B
— Owen Dahlkamp (@Owen_Dahlkamp) August 5, 2025
If Beto O’Rourke is the Democrats’ best ally, one has to wonder about the state of their campaign strategy.
