Paxton’s request to jail a political rival comes amid calls by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Paxton and their allies to arrest dozens of Democratic state lawmakers who left Texas to prevent Abbott from holding a special session to pass his ultra-partisan redistricting measure — one expected to net Republicans five seats in Congress.

Paxton sued O’Rourke and his political group last week, arguing that the group was deceptively fundraising for and illegally supporting Texas Democrats' walkout.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asked a state court Tuesday to hold former Rep. Beto O’Rourke in criminal contempt for raising money for Democratic lawmakers who are staying out of state, alleging O’Rourke violated a court order restricting his fundraising efforts—and making claims that O’Rourke’s lawyer has slammed as an “outright lie.”