Cruz hires ousted RSC operative Paul Teller

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on Monday hired as his deputy chief of staff Paul Teller, the conservative operative fired from the Republican Study Committee (RSC) last month.

The Texas senator brought on the operative after his ouster from the House group last month rankled some conservatives. 

Cruz applauded Teller as a tireless advocate for conservative principles who has spent his career fighting to limit the power of the federal government. He made no mention of Teller’s firing last month. 

{mosads}“I look forward to working with him to keep making Texans’ voices heard in Washington and to promote a positive policy agenda that will restore economic growth, rein in government overreach, and protect Americans’ personal liberties,” Cruz said in a statement. 

RSC Chairman Steve Scalise (R-La.) last month fired Teller as executive director of the group. 

GOP aides at the time said Teller was removed from his post after he allegedly leaked information to the press and actively undermined the group when he disagreed with bills sponsored by members. 

One lawmaker last month described Teller’s actions as habitual but said he was removed in December because he was caught with actual proof. The lawmaker did not describe the details of the proof. 

The Tea Party Patriots group blasted the decision to fire Teller last month, describing it as “a shot to conservatives and Tea Party members who are not part of the establishment.”