Coverage dated August 17, 2026 to August 18, 2026

Talarico pulls former Cornyn staff member to campaign team

Headline from Fox7 Austin

Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico has hired a staff member from the office of the senator he's hoping to replace in November. The campaign announced Jacob Smith would be joining as Talarico's deputy political director. Smith most recently served as Sen.

Fox7 Austin's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

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Reports & sources

10 articles, oldest first.

  1. The Daily Caller

    Cornyn Aide Takes Job With Talarico: REPORT (opens The Daily Caller)

    Published

    The Daily Caller's feed description

    GOP Senator’s Aide Takes Job With Democrat After Boss Loses Primary: REPORT

  2. Breitbart News

    John Cornyn Staffer Joins Democrat James Talarico’s Campaign (opens Breitbart News)

    Published

    Breitbart News's feed description

    A longtime aide to Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) has joined Democrat James Talarico’s Senate campaign as he tries to defeat Republican nominee Ken Paxton in Texas.

  3. American Greatness

    Longtime Cornyn Aide Joins Democrat Talarico’s Campaign Against Ken Paxton (opens American Greatness)

    Published

    American Greatness's feed description

    A longtime Republican congressional aide who spent five years working for Sen. John Cornyn has joined Democrat James Talarico’s campaign as the Texas Senate race […] Source

  4. The Hill

    Talarico campaign hires former top Cornyn staffer (opens The Hill)

    Published

    The Hill's feed description

    Texas state Sen. James Talarico’s (D) campaign team on Monday confirmed that it’s poached a former staffer for Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) to join him on the campaign trail months ahead of midterm elections.

  5. Fox News

    Longtime GOP aide defects to Dem rising star as Texas Senate battle for Cornyn's seat heats up (opens Fox News)

    Published

    Fox News's feed description

    A former John Cornyn staffer joins James Talarico's Democratic campaign against Ken Paxton in a Texas race that could flip Republican Senate control.

  6. Fox7 Austin

    Talarico pulls former Cornyn staff member to campaign team (opens Fox7 Austin)

    Published

    Fox7 Austin's feed description

    Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico has hired a staff member from the office of the senator he's hoping to replace in November. The campaign announced Jacob Smith would be joining as Talarico's deputy political director. Smith most recently served as Sen.

  7. The National Pulse

    Aide to RINO Cornyn Defects to Democrat Talarico’s Team. (opens The National Pulse)

    Published

    The National Pulse's feed description

    A longtime Republican aide has crossed party lines to support Democrat James Talarico in his bid to unseat Republican Ken Paxton in Texas' Senate race.

  8. Breitbart News

    John Cornyn on Former Staffer Now Working for Talarico Campaign: Only 'Authoritarian Countries' Tell You 'Where You Work' (opens Breitbart News)

    Published

    Breitbart News's feed description

    Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) responded to the news that a former staffer of his is now working on the campaign of Texas Democrat Senate candidate James Talarico.

  9. Washington Examiner

    Talarico campaign poaches former Cornyn staffer in race against Paxton (opens Washington Examiner)

    Published

    Washington Examiner's feed description

    A former senior staffer for outgoing Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) has joined Democratic Texas state Sen. James Talarico’s U.S. Senate campaign in an unexpected cross-party move. Jacob Smith previously served as Cornyn’s deputy legislative director and policy adviser for five years.

  10. GOP Daily Brief

    Former Cornyn Staffer Joins Democrat Talarico’s Campaign to Defeat GOP Ken Paxton in Texas Senate Race (opens GOP Daily Brief)

    Published

    GOP Daily Brief's feed description

    There’s a familiar routine in Washington that grassroots conservatives have watched play out for decades. When the Republican base rejects an establishment incumbent in a...

Talarico pulls former Cornyn staff member to campaign team | Since Then