A Texas district court has temporarily barred former U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke and his political group, Powered by People, from raising money for state Democratic lawmakers who have fled the state to block a mid-cycle congressional redistricting bill. Judge Megan Fahey’s Friday evening order, sought by Attorney General Ken Paxton, cites possible violations of Texas election and deceptive-trade statutes, saying donors were misled into underwriting the legislators’ personal expenses. Paxton’s lawsuit portrays the fundraising as an illicit “financial-influence scheme” and comes as he opens a separate probe into the Soros-funded Texas Majority PAC for allegedly bankrolling the same lawmakers. The restraining order remains in effect until a full hearing later this month; violations could expose O’Rourke and his PAC to fines and further injunctions. The ruling intensifies a week-long standoff in Austin, where more than 50 Democratic representatives are camped out in blue states, leaving the House five members short of its 100-member quorum. Republican Speaker Dustin Burrows has issued civil arrest warrants, and the chamber has filed suits in Illinois and California to compel the lawmakers’ return, while Governor Greg Abbott warns they may face removal from office. The GOP map, drafted at President Donald Trump’s urging, aims to create up to five new Republican-leaning districts among Texas’ 38 seats ahead of the 2026 midterms. Texas’ move has triggered an interstate arms race over political boundaries. California Governor Gavin Newsom said he will ask voters in a November special election to let the legislature redraw his state’s map, a step analysts say could add roughly five Democratic seats. Governors in New York and Illinois have voiced similar threats, underscoring the stakes in a U.S. House narrowly controlled by Republicans, 219-212.