A Republican voter in Texas told CNN that President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton influenced him to vote instead for Senator John Cornyn in the state’s Republican Senate primary.

The voter, Rodney Hall, explained that he chose Cornyn specifically because Cornyn was not backed by Trump, adding that he believes Trump has negatively changed the Republican Party.His comments were made during CNN coverage of the closely watched and highly contentious Senate primary race in Texas.The contest between Cornyn and Paxton has become one of the most aggressive Republican primary battles of the 2026 election cycle.

Cornyn’s campaign focused heavily on Paxton’s legal controversies and past scandals, while Paxton responded with sharp personal and political attacks against Cornyn.Polling before Election Day suggested that Paxton held an advantage, with most major public surveys indicating he was leading the race.The article also connected Hall’s remarks to broader concerns about Trump’s standing within the Republican Party.

According to a recent poll referenced in the report, Trump’s approval rating had fallen to approximately 36%, a figure compared to former President Joe Biden’s approval levels ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

The piece suggests that some Republican voters may be reconsidering Trump’s influence on the party, although Paxton still appeared to maintain strong support among many conservative voters in Texas.

Overall, the report highlights internal divisions within the Republican Party as candidates and voters debate Trump’s continuing political role and influence ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.