Sen. Cornyn: I Voted Democrat in Races That Had No Republicans

Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn said he voted for some Democratic candidates in races where no Republican was on the ballot.

The Texas Tribune reported that Cornyn told reporters, "I voted for Mr. Trump, my party's nominee, and voted for split down-ballot, some people I know personally here in Travis County and who I respect."

Travis County is a liberal spot in solidly Republican Texas, and it is common for down-ballot contests to only have a Democratic candidate, according to the Tribune.

Cornyn declined to say which Democrats he voted for. "I don't think I'll go into any great detail on that, but just some who I know personally and have high regard for."

The Republican Party in Texas has urged a straight-ticket vote, according to a separate Tribune report.  Railroad Commission candidate Wayne Christian said, "I don't care if you vote against Hillary Clinton or for Donald Trump, just vote straight R."

However, Cornyn said it was difficult to vote straight-ticket, "particularly when there are only Democrats running."

A reporter for the Austin American-Statesman asked Cornyn to elaborate further on his voting for Trump. He said that if Trump's opponent Clinton is elected, "I'm fearful that her tenure would be marked by the sort of gridlock that we've seen for a long time."

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