{"id":2646574,"date":"2026-08-18T14:47:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T18:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/talarico-campaign-poaches-cornyn-staffer-in-race-against-paxton\/"},"modified":"2026-08-18T14:51:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T18:51:35","slug":"talarico-campaign-poaches-cornyn-staffer-in-race-against-paxton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/talarico-campaign-poaches-cornyn-staffer-in-race-against-paxton\/","title":{"rendered":"Talarico campaign poaches Cornyn staffer in race against Paxton"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftalarico-campaign-poaches-cornyn-staffer-in-race-against-paxton%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2646574&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A former senior staffer for Senator John Cornyn has switched from working for him to joining Democratic State Senator James Talarico\u2019s U.S. Senate campaign as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-california-regulation-has-unintended-consequence-that-could-fuel-major-wildfires\/\" title=\"California&#039;s new regulation may cause major wildfires.\">deputy policy director<\/a>, in a surprising cross-party move. Jacob Smith, who previously served as Cornyn\u2019s deputy legislative director, praised Talarico for focusing on the needs of ordinary people rather than partisan politics. The campaign aims to flip Texas\u2019s traditionally Republican Senate seat, currently held by Republican Ken Paxton, who is facing scandals and legal issues. Smith criticized Paxton\u2019s record, calling him &#8220;the most corrupt, self-dealing politician in Texas,&#8221; and urged fellow Republicans to hold him accountable at the ballot box. Senate veteran John Cornyn expressed support for Smith\u2019s party switch and emphasized broadening Republican outreach. The race is competitive, with recent polls showing Talarico closely trailing Paxton. The contest garners national attention as Talarico strives to overcome Texas\u2019s deep-red political landscape.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A former senior staffer for outgoing Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-cornyn\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"965\">John Cornyn<\/a> (R-TX) has joined Democratic <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/texas\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"253\">Texas<\/a> state Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/james-talarico\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"17710\">James Talarico\u2019s<\/a> U.S. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"8765\">Senate<\/a> campaign in an unexpected cross-party move.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jacob Smith previously served as Cornyn\u2019s deputy legislative director and policy adviser for five years. But now he is working for Talarico\u2019s campaign as deputy policy director.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4691234\/hakeem-jeffries-progressive-backlash-condemning-antisemitic-remarks-randy-fine\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Jeffries faces progressive backlash for condemning antisemitic attacks on Randy Fine<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4691134\/talarico-poach-cornyn-staffer-jacob-smith\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Talarico campaign poaches former Cornyn staffer in race against Paxton<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4690943\/alaska-senate-election-poll-mary-peltola-dan-sullivan\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Alaska Senate election polls show nail-biter race between Mary Peltola and Dan Sullivan<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ve worked for Republicans like Senator Cornyn my entire career, but this year I\u2019m proud to be joining James Talarico\u2019s campaign,\u201d Smith told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>, through Talarico\u2019s campaign. \u201cInstead of playing partisan politics, Talarico speaks to the needs of everyday people who day in and day out work too hard for too little.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talarico is seeking to flip Texas\u2019s deep-red Senate seat in November, when he will face Republican nominee and state Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ken-paxton\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4370\">Ken Paxton<\/a> in the general election. Cornyn, Smith\u2019s former boss, was defeated in the Republican primary after President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> endorsed Paxton just before the primary election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn the Senate, James will fight to lower costs for all 31 million Texans, whether they\u2019re Republicans, Democrats, or independents, so that Texans of all ages have a fighting chance at the American Dream of starting a family, owning a home, and leaving a little behind for their children,\u201d Smith added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smith, who has spent most of his career working in Republican politics, also took aim at Paxton\u2019s record. Paxton has come under fire for a wide range of scandals, including fraud indictments, a high-profile state impeachment, whistleblower retaliation allegations, and an extramarital affair.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cKen Paxton is the most corrupt, self-dealing politician in Texas who would sell working people\u2019s futures to the highest contributor just to hold onto power,\u201d Smith <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JohnnieMo\/status\/2089723027634204675\">said<\/a>. \u201cI\u2019m 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Tuesday, Cornyn said he supported his former staffer\u2019s party switch.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOnly in authoritarian countries does someone else get to decide where you work. Not in Texas,\u201d the senator <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JohnCornyn\/status\/2089724521699823868?s=20\">wrote<\/a> on social media. \u201cThose concerned might want to channel their energy into broadening [Republican] outreach to a coalition of voters rather than just those already converted.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before joining Cornyn\u2019s office, Smith served on the House science committee for Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) and as a legislative aide to Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS).<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4687662\/trump-possible-campaign-spending-2026-elections\/\">WHERE TRUMP COULD SPEND HIS $400 MILLION WAR CHEST IN NOVEMBER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The race is shaping up to be competitive, according to recent polling. A survey <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4673749\/james-talarico-ken-paxton-texas-senate-race-poll\/\">released this month<\/a> by Texas Southern University\u2019s Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center found Talarico with 47% support among respondents, compared to 45% for Paxton.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cornyn did not endorse Paxton following their bitter primary battle, but he did pledge his support to \u201csupport the Republican ticket\u201d in November.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ex-Cornyn aide joins Talarico\u2019s Senate campaign in Texas<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2646575,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26194796314040.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4087,6571,5894,56800,3694],"class_list":["post-2646574","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-campaign","tag-elections","tag-politics","tag-staffing-2","tag-texas"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26194796314040.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646574","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2646574"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646574\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2646578,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646574\/revisions\/2646578"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2646575"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2646574"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2646574"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2646574"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}