But that was not a good enough explanation for constituents like Jeff Dennison, a semi-retired homebuilder from Nixa, Mo., just south of Springfield, who says he and other members of his family have campaigned for Blunt in the past, beginning with Blunt’s first run for secretary of state 35 years ago.

“It’s about following the law,” Dennison said. “I have to follow the law. You have to follow the law.”

His father, an 84-year-old retired career military officer, knows Blunt and wrote him a personal letter after the vote, Dennison said.

“I will not vote for a Democrat,” the junior Dennison said. “Just tired of weak-kneed Republicans. We are being impacted by illegals just like most of the country.”

Roger Graham, a retiree from the airline and securities industry who lives in St. Louis, wrote Blunt after the vote, and referenced a family member who has been ravaged by heroin addiction. Graham, who also voted for Blunt, blames a porous border that allows in such drugs.