Texas Operatives Take Starring Roles for 2016 Presidential Hopefuls

Texas political operatives have scattered across the country in recent months to sign up with fledgling presidential campaigns. This cycle, no single White House hopeful has the market cornered on them — a departure from 15 years ago, when Texas operatives flocked to Austin and beyond to elect the hometown favorite, George W. Bush, to the presidency.

It is a testament to the state’s size that a native son or daughter is working at the highest level of nearly every presidential team, Democrat and Republican alike.

These are the staffers and advisers — listed by the candidate they're working for — who wield enormous power in the day-to-day mechanics and strategy of each 2016 bid. Some were reared in Texas and now live on the East Coast or are on the campaign trail. Others on this list may not be Texans by birth but are established figures here who spent at least a decade building their names in Lone Star circles.