Former Cornyn aide Jacob Smith joins James Talarico’s Texas Senate bid
Jacob Smith, who spent five years advising Sen. John Cornyn, has become deputy policy director for Democrat James Talarico’s campaign against Republican Ken Paxton.
After five years as a deputy legislative director and policy adviser to Sen. John Cornyn, Jacob Smith has taken the position of deputy policy director on Democrat James Talarico’s Senate campaign in Texas. Smith said his new role reflects a commitment to policies that help working Texans rather than partisan battles, and he launched attacks on Republican nominee Ken Paxton, labeling him the most corrupt politician in the state.
He called on Republicans who view Paxton as unfit to reject him at the ballot box. Prior to his work for Cornyn, Smith served on Rep. Frank Lucas’s staff on the House Science Committee and as a legislative aide to Sen. Roger Wicker. The staff shift comes after Paxton defeated Cornyn in a contentious primary runoff, raising concerns that his legal troubles—including a securities-fraud case, impeachment by the Texas House, and an extramarital affair—could make the traditionally Republican seat competitive. Paxton avoided a fraud trial through a community-service agreement.
Why it matters
A seasoned Republican operative switching to a Democratic Senate campaign could influence voter perceptions in a tightly contested Texas race.
How this story developed
- Jul 28 Texas Senate hopeful James Talarico accused of violating state voting residency rules
- Aug 5 A July poll shows Talarico at 45% and Paxton at 40% in the Senate race.
- Aug 10 Republican Rep. Max Miller has remained on the ballot for Ohio’s 7th District after the certification deadline passed, even as his ex-wife accuses him of severe abuse.
- Aug 11 Miller filed paperwork to initiate a House Ethics Committee investigation of himself.
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