James Talarico speaks at a campaign event in San Antonio earlier this year. Credit: Michael Karlis

A former staffer for Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has crossed the aisle to join Democrat James Talarico’s campaign for his former boss’ seat.

Talarico’s campaign confirmed Monday that Jacob Smith, a former deputy legislative director to Cornyn, has joined the Democrat’s camp as deputy policy director.​

“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. In the Senate, James will fight to lower costs for all 31 million Texans, whether they’re Republicans, Democrats or independent, 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.”

Smith has also worked on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee for U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Oklahoma, and served as a legislative aide for U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, political news site NOTUS reports.

Cornyn was seeking a fifth term in the U.S. Senate when he lost the GOP primary earlier this year to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a vocal ally of President Donald Trump. Trump initially declined to endorse in the primary, but one week before the May 26 runoff, the president endorsed Paxton, calling him a “true MAGA Warrior.”

Some Republican operatives, including veteran strategist Susan Del Percio, are now questioning whether Trump’s endorsement was a smart move, considering the number of scandals the Texas AG has accumulated during his political career.

“He is just so fundamentally flawed, and represents everything people are frustrated with [about politics], including Republicans,” Del Percio said on news network MS NOW over the weekend.

Smith’s jump to Talarico’s campaign in the final months before Election Day is the latest headache for the Paxton campaign.

In recent weeks, the AG’s alleged extramarital affairs have been thrust back into the public discourse and were even called out by a heckler during a San Antonio campaign rally. Talarico’s campaign has also resurrected allegations that Paxton stole another attorney’s $1,000 pen.

Media investigations into Paxton’s $9 million real estate empire and allegations that he committed voter fraud also haven’t helped his public image.

With Paxton’s campaign trailing in fundraising and in the polls, Talarico could become the first Democrat elected to state office in Texas in more than three decades — assuming, of course, the momentum holds.

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Michael Karlis is a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current, whose coverage in print and on social media focuses on local and state politics. He is a graduate of American University in Washington,...