Democrat U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico has made an unlikely addition to his campaign team.
Talarico's campaign announced Tuesday, Aug. 17, that it had hired Jacob Smith as the campaign's deputy policy director. Smith previously served as deputy legislative director for outgoing U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who was toppled by Attorney General Ken Paxton in a May primary runoff.
Talarico and Paxton will face off in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Paxton has not publicly addressed Smith joining Talarico's campaign team.
“Jacob is a capable, dedicated leader with years of experience working for Senator Cornyn on legislation that impacts Texans,” Talarico said in a news release. “I’m honored to have him on our team because bringing
down costs and fighting corruption are issues both parties can agree on."
After Cornyn's defeat in May, Talarico told his supporters there was room for them in his campaign. Smith's hiring builds on that commitment to making his campaign a welcoming place for voters — and staffers — of every political hue, Talarico said.
"My message to Texans across the political spectrum is clear: no matter which party you belong to, which part of the state you’re from, or which candidate you supported in the primary — you have a place in this campaign,” he said.
For Smith, whose whole career has been spent working for Republicans, Talarico represents a change to usual politics.
“I’ve worked for Republicans like Senator Cornyn my entire career, but this year I’m proud to be joining James Talarico’s campaign. Instead of playing partisan politics, Talarico speaks to the needs of everyday people who day in and day out work too hard for too little,” Smith said in the release. “Ken Paxton is the most corrupt, self-dealing politician in Texas who would sell out working people’s futures to the highest contributor just to hold onto power. I’m encouraging all my fellow Republicans who know Ken Paxton is unfit to serve in the Senate to finally hold him accountable at the ballot box.”
Paxton has not announced any additions to his campaign.
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Talarico adds Cornyn aide, broadens Texas US Senate race appeal
