Paxton Blocked From Suing Democratic Donor ActBlue, a Federal Judge Rules

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton must drop his lawsuit against ActBlue, which was filed in April, following a Boston federal judge's decision to block him from suing the primarily Democrat donation platform.

What are people saying?

• District Judge Richard Gaylor Stearns: "The truth is plain and captured in Paxton’s own declarations: The lawsuit was filed in retaliation for (and in an attempt to suppress) ActBlue’s efforts to fund Talarico’s campaign."
• Ken Paxton: "Our investigation into ActBlue has uncovered facts indicating that bad actors can illegally interfere in American elections by disguising political donations."

Stearns blocked Paxton's lawsuit Thursday, citing the fact that Paxton's lawsuit came just a day after Paxton's Senate race opponent James Talarico raised over $2.5 million within 24 hours of appearing on Stephen Colbert's late night show.

“The truth is plain and captured in Paxton’s own declarations: The lawsuit was filed in retaliation for (and in an attempt to suppress) ActBlue’s efforts to fund Talarico’s campaign," Stearns wrote.

Paxton filed the initial suit in April, claiming the company allows for improper donations from people outside the United States. The Attorney General opened the investigation into ActBlue in December of 2023 and has continued over the past two and a half years.

"Our investigation into ActBlue has uncovered facts indicating that bad actors can illegally interfere in American elections by disguising political donations," Paxton wrote in a 2024 press release regarding the investigation.

Following Paxton's April lawsuit, ActBlue responded by suing Paxton in early May, arguing that his accusations against the company were politically motivated and violate the company's First and 14th Amendment rights.

ActBlue has processed $1.78 billion in donations in the last year alone towards Democratic candidates and causes.

Following the judge's decision, Paxton appealed the decision to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Monday, with the midterms approaching in November.