Trump’s endorsement – A Plano voter told a TV reporter that President Donald Trump has “ruined” the Republican Party for him, casting his ballot for Sen. John Cornyn instead of Trump’s endorsed candidate, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Across the polling place, another voter sa
On Tuesday in Plano, Texas, the argument over President Donald Trump wasn’t happening in Washington. It was happening at the edge of a polling station, in the space between two neighbors who couldn’t agree on what Trump’s support should mean for their own party.
A man who spoke to CNN correspondent Arlette Saenz said he was voting for incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) over the president’s endorsed candidate, state Attorney General Ken Paxton. Rodney Hall stood cross-armed and described Trump’s influence as something that has damaged the party he still says he supports. “I think he’s ruined my Republican Party, I think he’s divided America. I think he’s bad news. ” Hall said. adding that he was voting for Cornyn “primarily because he’s not supported by Trump.”.
Moments later, Saenz heard from a woman named Gena Tatum, who was headed in the opposite direction. Tatum said she was voting for Paxton, and Trump’s endorsement was not just a factor—it was the deciding one. “I like who he backs,” she said.
Tatum described herself as “torn” on Paxton versus “Cromin,” and Saenz stepped in to clarify the name was Cornyn. But the pivot was immediate: Trump’s endorsement, Tatum said, was what settled it.
The interviews unfolded while Texans chose between Cornyn and Paxton in the GOP primary runoff.
Trump’s involvement had been unambiguous. Last week. the president officially endorsed Paxton. posting on Truth Social that “The Highly Respected Attorney General of Texas. Ken Paxton. an America First Patriot. and someone who has always been extremely loyal to me and our AMAZING MAGA MOVEMENT. is running for the United States Senate. to represent a place I love and WON. BIG. three times. with 6.4 Million Votes in 2024 (The Most Votes in the History of the State. BY FAR)!” In that same post. Trump called Paxton a “true MAGA Warrior” and a “WINNER. ” and said Paxton supports his idea of terminating the filibuster. among other ideas he likes.
In the days leading up to the runoff. Trump also pressed Texans about Cornyn’s past actions. telling them last weekend to remember how “disloyal” Cornyn had been to him when they vote. Trump specifically said Cornyn didn’t “fight hard enough” for the SAVE America Act. which he said would require proof of citizenship to vote.
The scene outside the Plano polling station offered a stark picture of what that presidential pressure can feel like at street level. Hall framed Trump’s presence as a reason to break from the endorsement. Tatum framed it as the reason to follow it.
By the time the ballots were being cast, the contrast wasn’t theoretical. In the same morning, one voter said Trump had “ruined” his Republican Party while another said the president’s pick was the factor she couldn’t ignore.
Donald Trump Ken Paxton John Cornyn Texas politics GOP primary runoff Plano polling station voter reaction SAVE America Act filibuster