U.S. Senator John Cornyn’s (R) recent call for a Department of Justice investigation into Beto O’Rourke and his PAC, Powered by People, came notably after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and Governor Greg Abbott (R) had already taken action on the issue.
In early August, over 50 Texas House Democrats fled the state to break quorum and block GOP-backed legislation. Paxton swiftly responded, filing a lawsuit against O’Rourke’s organization for what he called “unlawful fundraising” tied to the walkout. A Texas court granted Paxton a temporary restraining order, effectively freezing fundraising efforts by the group.
It wasn’t until nearly two weeks later that Cornyn issued his public letter to the DOJ, requesting a federal investigation into the same activity, suggesting illegal coordination and campaign finance violations. While Cornyn framed his request as concern for flood victims and legislative obstruction, the timing raises questions.
With Paxton and Cornyn already facing off in the 2026 Republican Senate primary, the move may signal Cornyn playing catch-up on an issue that is important to Texas conservatives.
Paxton, embattled but popular with the party’s base, was first to act decisively. His legal filing resulted in immediate consequences. Cornyn’s DOJ letter, though high-profile, carries no legal force.
Cornyn, a fixture of the GOP establishment, has often faced criticism from the party's right flank for being overly cautious. In contrast, Paxton, despite ongoing legal controversies, has adopted an aggressive, confrontational approach that resonates strongly with conservatives.
By jumping into a battle already in motion, Cornyn appears to be positioning himself for a tougher, more populist campaign.
