Judge Blocks Texas AG Paxton From Pursuing ActBlue Lawsuit Over Rival's Campaign

—A federal judge blocked Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton from proceeding with a lawsuit against ActBlue, the Democratic fundraising platform, ruling the suit appeared to be politically motivated by concerns about Paxton's Senate primary rival James Talarico. Talarico has been raising money through ActBlue and firing back at both Paxton and Ted Cruz over attacks on his character. Paxton's impeachment trial attorney had separately endorsed Talarico, adding an ironic dimension to the legal clash. The judge's ruling characterized the lawsuit as an improper use of state legal authority to target a political opponent's funding infrastructure. The case highlights the increasingly aggressive use of state AGs as political weapons.