Sen. John Cornyn’s (R-TX) top policy adviser is in discussions to join the incoming Senate office of Democrat James Talarico, a rare and politically charged defection between opposing parties at the highest staff levels.
Stephen Tausend, Cornyn’s legislative director for over a decade, is reportedly interviewing for a position with Talarico, according to exclusive Breitbart News reporting. The move would be unprecedented in modern Senate history, given the partisan policy divisions between the two lawmakers.
A Growing Trend
This isn’t the first Cornyn staffer to make the jump to Talarico’s team. Earlier this year, Jacob Smith, Tausend’s deputy, left Cornyn’s office to join Talarico’s campaign, criticizing Trump-backed Republican Ken Paxton as “the most corrupt, self-dealing politician in Texas.” Sources confirm Smith also plans to remain with Talarico’s Senate staff.
Cornyn, who lost his primary to Paxton by nearly 30 points, has downplayed concerns of staff defections. In a recent TMZ interview, he confirmed Talarico had expressed interest in retaining some of his casework staff, calling the potential transition “normal.”
Unusual Bipartisanship or Ideological Shift?
The possible hire has raised eyebrows, given Tausend’s role as Cornyn’s top policy architect. Legislative directors typically steer a senator’s political agenda, making cross-party hires almost unheard of at this level.
The move comes after Talarico, who unseated Paxton on November 3, actively courted Cornyn’s supporters during the campaign. “To Senator Cornyn’s supporters: you have a place in our campaign,” Talarico posted in May.
Cornyn has defended his former staffers’ decisions, responding to criticism by saying, “Not in Texas” when questioned about Smith’s campaign work for the Democrat.
A Changing Political Landscape
The developments highlight the shifting alliances in Texas politics following Cornyn’s primary loss and Talarico’s victory. Both lawmakers have found common ground opposing border security projects in Texas’s Big Bend region, with Talarico praising Cornyn’s efforts to pause construction.
Talarico’s office has not commented on the potential hires. Neither Cornyn’s office nor Tausend responded to requests for confirmation about interviews or assistance provided during the campaign.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/11/11/exclusive-rino-poaching-cornyn-s-top-policy-adviser-applying-job-talarico/