Ex-Cornyn Aide Switches Teams To Work For Talarico Campaign

Texas Democratic Senate Candidate James Talarico has crossed the aisle for a campaign hire, bringing on a former aide to outgoing Republican Sen. John Cornyn ahead of his November showdown with Republican Ken Paxton.  

Jacob Smith, who will serve as deputy policy director for Talarico’s campaign, is no stranger to campaigns against Paxton. Smith previously worked for Cornyn, who lost the Republican Senate primary to Paxton earlier this year. If Talarico wins in November, Smith could find himself working in the same Senate office — just under a different boss and political affiliation.

“I’ve worked for Republicans like Senator Cornyn my entire career, but this year I’m proud to be joining James Talarico’s campaign,” Smith said in a statement. “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.”

“Ken Paxton is the most corrupt, self-dealing politician in Texas who would sell their futures to the highest contributor just to hold onto power,” Smith added. “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.”

Smith worked for Cornyn for five years, serving as a deputy legislative director and policy adviser.

Talarico’s new hire could signal an effort to broaden his appeal beyond the Democratic base as the midterm elections approach. Despite bringing a longtime Republican Senate aide onto his campaign, Talarico’s political stance differs vastly from those of both Smith’s former boss and Paxton.

Talarico has slammed Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s border enforcement policy.

“Regardless of your political affiliation, regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum,” he said. “Greg Abbott is hunting people for his own political gain. And that’s the most cynical thing that I’ve seen in my time in Texas politics.”

Talarico has also taken leftist positions on transgender issues. He has opposed restrictions on transgender participation in sports and drew national attention after saying that “God is nonbinary.” 

After facing backlash from Republicans over the comment, Talarico responded by arguing that America is focused “on the wrong 1%.”

“Trans people aren’t taking away our healthcare. Undocumented people aren’t defunding our schools,” he said. “It’s the billionaires and their puppet politicians. And so we need not only the media, but all of us, to focus on the real problem at hand.”

Talarico has also proposed repealing tax breaks in President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill and redistributing the money to people who need a “cost-of-living tax cut.” His plan to fix affordability includes raising the minimum wage and canceling medical debt. 

Paxton, meanwhile, has proposed tax deductions for health care and housing, including a $25,000 deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses, a $50,000 deduction for first-time homebuyers, and a $50,000 tax break on down payments for people moving homes.