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 against Republican nominee Ken Paxton takes shape.

Jacob Smith, who served as Cornyn’s deputy legislative director and policy adviser, is now Talarico’s deputy policy director, according to NOTUS.

“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 released by the campaign.

Smith portrayed Talarico as focused on economic issues affecting Texans regardless of political affiliation. He also sharply criticized Paxton and encouraged other Republicans to oppose their party’s nominee.

“Ken Paxton is the most corrupt, self-dealing politician in Texas who would sell their futures to the highest contributor just to hold onto power,” Smith said. “I’m 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.”

Smith has spent much of his career working for Republican lawmakers. Before joining Cornyn’s staff, he worked for Republican Rep. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma on the House Science Committee and served as a legislative aide to Republican Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi.

His defection comes after Paxton defeated Cornyn in a contentious Republican primary runoff, ending the longtime senator’s bid for another term.

Paxton, who received President Donald Trump’s endorsement, now faces Talarico in a race for a seat Republicans have traditionally been favored to hold.

Some Republicans have expressed concern that controversies surrounding Paxton could make the race more competitive. Paxton was impeached by the Republican-controlled Texas House in 2023 but was acquitted by the state Senate.