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.

Texas filed a motion for contempt Tuesday against Beto O'Rourke for violating a temporary restraining order barring him from fundraising for Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month.