As we reported, Texas Democrat Senate candidate James Talarico poached a staffer from Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).
Jacob Smith, who worked for Cornyn for five years as a deputy legislative director and policy adviser, is taking on the role of deputy policy director for Talarico’s campaign.
That's obviously unusual. It raises a lot of questions about why any Republican would ever want to work for a leftist like Talarico, if they cared about Texas and the country. This was one of the people influencing Cornyn's policies, so perhaps this explains a lot.
It made a lot of people think they'd voted correctly when they voted for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton instead of Cornyn in the primary.
READ MORE: Cornyn Staffer Makes Unusual Move That Has Everyone Talking, Convinces Paxton Voters They Were Right
Now Cornyn himself has weighed in and made things worse. This is a guy who claims he's going to support the Republican ticket. But this is what he's putting out.
John, only in authoritarian countries does someone else get to decide where you work. Not in Texas. Those concerned might want to channel their energy into broadening R outreach to a coalition of voters rather than just those already converted. https://t.co/5T2qEPfqdz
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) August 18, 2026
John, only in authoritarian countries does someone else get to decide where you work. Not in Texas. Those concerned might want to channel their energy into broadening R outreach to a coalition of voters rather than just those already converted.
You lost, my guy. Stop throwing a hissy fit. You lost in part because you weren't listening to the voters and what they wanted.
No one is saying this guy doesn't have a right to work for whom he wants. Notice Cornyn sets up a false premise to knock down. No one said that. What people have said is that if he's supposed to be a Republican, why is he working for someone who is going to work against what Republicans want?
This is a comment on Cornyn and the people he chose to employ, and what beliefs they actually hold.
What is Cornyn really saying here? Republicans should broaden their outreach to the radical left, as his staffer has done? No thanks. We don't have that big a tent. There's a reason Texas votes consistently red — to make sure that stuff doesn't take hold here (and yes, I'm in Texas).
Meanwhile, it also ticked off some on the left because they thought Talarico was doing a "Kamala Harris-Liz Cheney" move, which they did not like.
People had a generally negative reaction to Cornyn's comment.
Going from working for Republicans to working for far-left Democrats is a result of not broadening R outreach? What? https://t.co/Cg2CmfF4ii
— Tony Ortiz (Current Revolt) (@CurrentRevolt) August 18, 2026
Siri, why did Texas Republicans fire this guy? https://t.co/cT7xLnmwWf
— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) August 18, 2026
Sen. Cornyn, we’ve followed each other for years.
— Sitric (@Earendil82) August 18, 2026
I was very hesitant about casting my vote in the Republican primary for Paxton.
I now see that it was a good move, because you are bitter, entitled, and selfish.
What a disappointment you’ve been to Texas voters this year. https://t.co/zrwgnLyB9c
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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