Bush continues to staff up for 2016

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has hired two experienced Republican communications operatives to advise his political action committee and potential 2016 presidential campaign.

Danny Diaz and Jon Downs will become advisers to Bush’s Right to Rise PAC, an organization that could serve as the precursor to his official bid. They will likely join a campaign organization should he choose to run.

{mosads}”We’re excited Jon and Danny are joining our team. Their expertise and experience will be critical to communicating Governor Bush’s conservative ideas for greater economic growth and opportunity,” Bush aide Sally Bradshaw said in a statement.

Diaz was a top communications adviser to Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) campaign for the presidency in 2008, and he worked on the 2004 reelection effort of former President George W. Bush.

Downs is an ad creator who has worked for Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and is known for aggressive spots.

Both are partners in the Washington-based consulting firm FP1 Strategies, which also has done work for nonprofit groups. CNN was the first to report their hiring.

The two men are the most recent additions to the growing Bush team. Last week, Bush hired David Kochel, who ran operations in Iowa for GOP nominee Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign. He is reportedly in line to become campaign manager if Bush launches a bid.

Updated at 1:39 p.m.