Texas Democrats are suddenly super concerned about the optics of churches doubling as polling places — at least when a Republican candidate is involved.
Here's what happened to get their knickers in a twist: Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton visited San Antonio's Cornerstone Church on Sunday and tweeted his thanks to the pastor for hosting him and some of his fellow Republican candidates.
After acknowledging the candidates who were taking part in the worship service – none of whom addressed the congregation or electioneered in any way – the pastor reminded his flock that early voting in Texas began Monday and that the Cornerstone building would serve as a polling place.
Cue the outrage.
I had a wonderful Sunday morning worshipping at @SACornerstone in San Antonio alongside @DanPatrick and @DonnaCampbellTX! Thank you, @PastorJohnHagee, @PastorMattHagee, and the entire Cornerstone family for the warm welcome. https://t.co/GPPEmytfVa
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) October 18, 2026
San Antonio's Democrat mayor, Gina Ortiz Jones, who is running for governor, stormed on over to social media to rage about Paxton's church visit, tagging James Talarico and suggesting Cornerstone’s relationship with Republican candidates was questionable because the church is also being used as a voting site.
“Hey, James Talarico, it looks like they’re recognizing U.S. Senate candidates at Cornerstone Church during their services here in San Antonio,” Jones said in the post. “And, as a *polling site*, they’re very helpfully reminding folks that Early Voting starts tomorrow. Could be a good stop next Sunday!”
The media happily picked up where Jones left off, with one reporting there are now "calls from voting rights advocates for Bexar County elections to not use the site as a polling place."
Ken Paxton appears at North Side church which will serve as polling place beginning Monday | Read the full story at the link in our bio. https://t.co/ADVGe62ACo
— KSAT 12 (@ksatnews) October 19, 2026
Apparently, politicians who associate with churches that also serve as polling places are now a matter of grave concern for Democrats, which makes what is happening in Dallas more than a little awkward for them.
Friendship-West Baptist Church is an official Dallas County voting location. Its senior pastor, Frederick Douglass Haynes III, has led the church since 1983.
He is also the Democrat nominee for Texas’ 30th Congressional District, looking to replace Jasmine Crockett.
So, voters can walk into the church Haynes has led for more than four decades and cast a ballot in a congressional race with his own name on it.
Conflict of Interest? Congressional Candidate Protests Opponent’s Church as Voting Site. Republican Everett Jackson is calling for Dallas County to remove Friendship-West Baptist Church as a polling location while its senior pastor, Democrat Frederick Douglass Haynes III, runs against him for Congress. @Carlos__Turcios
— The Dallas Express News (@DallasExpress) October 17, 2026
Haynes' church has been anything but apolitical during his tenure as pastor, having flown a BLM flag in recent years. His Republican opponent, Everett Jackson, held a protest outside the church last week and called the arrangement an obvious conflict of interest.
“How can you be on the ballot and the church that you reside over is a polling site with your name on that ballot?” Jackson asked.
Now, to be clear, there's no evidence that any laws are being broken here – by Democrats or by Republicans – but it's crystal clear that Democrats are doing what Democrats always do: adhere to double standards when it's politically advantageous for them.
Early voting is now underway in Texas and continues through October 30.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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