Beto O’Rourke’s political group is a top funder for Texas Democrats’ exodus to block GOP congressional map

A private plane headed to Chicago sits on the tarmac after loading luggage at Signature Aviation in Austin with Texas Democratic legislators headed to Illinios on a quorum break on August 3, 2025. (Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune)

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WASHINGTON — Powered by People, a Democratic political group started by former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, has emerged as a top funder covering the costs of Texas lawmakers’ out-of-state decampment to thwart a new GOP-proposed congressional map, according to two people involved with the fundraising efforts.