Photo by Steven Purcell

Photo by Steven Purcell

A month after being dismissed by the Republican Study Committee, longtime congressional staffer Paul Teller has been hired as deputy chief of staff by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX).

Cruz said in a statement:

Paul’s many years of experience working in Congress and his tireless work to advance conservative principles make him a tremendous addition to our team. 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.

Teller added:

It is an honor and privilege to work for Sen. Cruz. His leadership is truly motivating, and I can’t wait to get started on our collaboration for liberty.

Cruz’s decision signals his desire to strengthen ties with the conservative grassroots given Teller’s years of experience and strong relationship to conservative movement leaders.

Republican Study Committee Chairman Steve Scalise (R-LA) reportedly fired Teller in December for “undermin[ing] some GOP lawmakers in an alliance with conservative advocacy groups,” according to the Washington Post. The decision drew a swift rebuke from the Conservative Action Project, which released a letter signed by more than 50 conservative leaders expressing outrage at Teller’s firing.