Cruz hires Trump campaign press aide as communications director

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has hired Trump campaign press aide Erin Perrine as his new communications director.

Perrine most recently was director of press communications for former President Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign. Before that, she had stints with the offices of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and campaigns for Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and former Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).

“I’m excited to join @SenTedCruz’s team today as Communications Director and come back home to Capitol Hill!” Perrine tweeted Thursday.

UPDATE: I’m excited to join @SenTedCruz’s team today as Communications Director and come back home to Capitol Hill!

— Erin Perrine (@ErinMPerrine) February 25, 2021

The hire comes as Cruz leans into his pro-Trump bona fides ahead of a potential 2024 presidential campaign. Cruz is one of several senators, and as many as two dozen Republicans, eyeing a White House bid, with many taking steps now to closely align themselves with Trump in hopes of improving their prospects.

Cruz’s bolstered press shop could be beneficial as he faces firestorms on multiple fronts.

The Texas Republican is still facing blowback for going to Cancun with his family earlier this month when the Lone Star State was battered by power and water shortages spurred by severe winter weather. Cruz apologized for taking the trip, though speculation has already bubbled up that the poor optics could endanger his political future.

He’s also grappling with criticism from Democrats over his effort to overturn the Electoral College results last month, which critics said helped spur the Jan. 6 riot on Capitol Hill. Cruz’s former communications director, Lauren Blair Bianchi, resigned after the insurrection.