Rand Paul steals Ted Cruz’s digital strategist ahead of 2016

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is beefing up his campaign team ahead of a likely presidential run by adding Vince Harris, a top GOP digital guru who has previously worked for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

{mosads}Harris will join Paul’s inner circle of advisors as the campaign’s chief digital strategist. RAND PAC Executive Director Doug Stafford confirmed the hire to The Hill.

Harris, Austin-based strategist, made a name for himself in helping Cruz win a 2012 primary in which he was badly outspent. He is considered one of the GOP’s sharper digital operatives, and worked on soon-to-be Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) reelection campaign last year.

Harris tweeted Tuesday morning “I could not be more excited to join the great team of fellow Baylor Bear Rand Paul for 2016!” Both men attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas. 

The hire is the latest sign that Paul is gearing up for a serious presidential run. Paul allies tell The Hill he’s likely to announce his bid for reelection to the Senate in the coming days, possibly before Thanksgiving, and make an official decision on the presidency next spring. Paul gathered his senior advisors from around the country to meet and discuss campaign strategy last week.

CNN first reported Paul’s hiring of Harris.